Whitecaps ready for home stretch of MLS season after a welcome week off

It was the calm before the storm.

The Vancouver Whitecaps used a weeklong break to rest and recharge — though they still made waves off the pitch with the acquisition of former Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller — before beginning the final 10 games of the Major League Soccer season. 

The Whitecaps (13-5-6) start their stretch run on the road against the struggling San Jose Earthquakes (7-10-8) Saturday.

Vancouver has played 35 games across all competitions since February. Many players like Canadian Jayden Nelson and American Brian White, the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals, also played international matches for their country.

The Whitecaps are enjoying one of the best seasons in franchise history, managing an impressive 17-7-11 across all competitions, but the number of games and extensive travel has taken a toll.

“I feel like I played a season already and we have a lot of games left,” Nelson, a forward from Brampton, Ont., said after a training session this week. “We want to continue, we want to make a real push in MLS this year.

“It’s going to be interesting. We’re pushing towards something big this year.”

Head coach Jesper Sorensen said the break was badly needed.

“It was necessary,” said Sorensen. “I think this was the last opportunity to give everybody a break.

“I hope it’s going to be beneficial. I think everybody needed it also mentally, also the staff.”

Vancouver heads into the weekend sitting second in the MLS Western Conference with 45 points, just one back of division leader San Diego and five behind overall league-leading Philadelphia.

They will face an Earthquakes team that is 10th in the West, one point back of Colorado for the final playoff spot. San Jose is 1-3-3 in its last seven MLS games.

Sorensen said the Earthquakes play “a little bit different” than other teams the Whitecaps have faced recently.

“They’re very aggressive in the defensive style of play,” he said. “We like to play a game where it’s a little bit more closed and we play closer to each other. They want the pitch to be longer and with a lot more spaces for some of their offensive players.

“It’s going to be challenging and different for us.”

The Whitecaps are also dealing with several key injuries.

Captain Ryan Gauld has been sidelined since March 8 with a knee capsule sprain, The 29-year-old from Aberdeen, Scotland, had a career-high 17 goals and led the team with 16 assists in 37 starts and 41 appearances across all competitions last season.

The Whitecaps have also lost two defenders for the rest of the season. Centre back Ranko Veselinović suffered an ACL tear in July while Canadian left back Sam Adekugbe went down with an Achilles tendon tear in early June.

Ecuadorian midfielder Pedro Vite left Vancouver in a transfer to Liga Mx side Pumas UNAM.

“We have been a little bit short on players,” said Sorensen. “It’s a little tricky all the time. You have to try to manage players, and we have all these games.

“It’s what happens throughout the course of the season. That’s why a team needs a coach.”

Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said the Whitecaps have been able to adapt.

“You keep chugging along,” he said. “Guys keep stepping up. I think this group has done a really good job. Guys have come in and made a difference.”

Muller, who led Germany to a World Cup title in 2014, is expected to arrive in Vancouver on Wednesday, with his first training session set for Thursday. There’s speculation he could dress for the Whitecaps next home game Aug. 17 against Houston.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that he’ll get on the pitch as fast as possible,” said Sorensen.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (13-5-6) at SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (7-10-8)

PayPal Park, Saturday 7:30 p.m. PDT

RECORD PACE: The Whitecaps are just three wins away from setting a franchise record for points in a single MLS season. The ‘Caps had a 16-13-5 record for 53 points in 2015 when they finished second in the Western Conference and third overall.

HOMECOOKING: Six of Vancouver’s remaining MLS games will be played at home. The Whitecaps have a 7-2-2 home record.

TWISTING ROAD: Heading into Saturday the Whitecaps have 22 points (6-3-4) on the road this year, tied for third most in MLS. The Caps’ also have just one win in their last four away matches and three of their five losses have come on the road.

SUPER SABBI: Since arriving in February via transfer from French side Le Havre AC, forward Emmanuel Sabbi has scored six goals across all competitions, second most on the team. He also has added four assists. He has four goals in his last seven games, including three game winners.

UP NEXT: The Whitecaps are back in action Wednesday, travelling to Hamilton to face Canadian Premier League side Forge FC in the semifinal of the Telus Canadian Championship. The second game of the series will be played Sept. 16 in Vancouver. The Whitecaps are looking to win their fourth straight Canadian title.

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Packers star Billy Howton, believed to be the oldest living NFL player, dies at 95

HOUSTON — Billy Howton, a former Green Bay Packers star regarded as one of the most productive wide receivers of the pre-Super Bowl era who was a founder and the first president of the NFL Players Association, has died. He was 95.

Howton died in Houston on Monday, according to an obituary. Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home confirmed his death on Friday.

Howton was born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1930. He was believed to have been the oldest living NFL player.

Howton scored the Packers’ first receiving touchdown at Lambeau Field in 1957. He was a second-round selection by the Packers in 1952 and became the first NFL rookie with a 1,000-yard receiving season after recording 1,231 yards that year. He led the league in receiving yards twice, was named to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro.

He holds Green Bay’s single-game franchise record with 257 receiving yards in a 1956 game against the Los Angeles Rams, and when he retired in 1963, he was the NFL’s all-time leading receiver in receptions (503) and receiving yards (8,459). He was inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame in 1974.

“For my money, Howton is the toughest pass receiver to cover in the National League,” Hall of Fame safety Emlen Tunnell said before the 1958 season, which was Howton’s last with the Packers.

After seven years in Green Bay, Howton was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1959 and then to Dallas as a member of the Cowboys’ inaugural team in 1960. He spent the rest of his career there, playing for coach Tom Landry with quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith.

Howton was an All-American in college at Rice and is a member of the Rice Hall of Fame.

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Canada’s Mboko rockets to 24th in world rankings after National Bank Open win

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has rocketed 61 spots to a career-best No. 24 in the world rankings after winning her first career WTA Tour title at the National Bank Open. 

The 18-year-old from Toronto upset four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in a three-set final in Montreal on Thursday night.

Mboko, who grew up in Burlington, Ont., has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season. 

She ended the 2024 campaign at No. 350 in the world and has since gone on a 53-9 tear, earning almost $1.2 million in prize money along the way. 

Mboko will take a break to rest her sore right wrist before beginning preparation for the U.S. Open in New York, where she’ll be a seeded player at a Grand Slam for the first time. 

Mboko also became the highest-ranked Canadian on the tour. Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., the only other Canadian in the top 100, dropped two positions to No. 26.

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Steelers sit QB Aaron Rodgers, other starters in pre-season opener

LATROBE, Pa. — Aaron Rodgers’ debut in Pittsburgh will have to wait.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team’s new quarterback and most of its other high-profile starters won’t play when the club opens the pre-season in Jacksonville on Saturday.

T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Jonnu Smith, DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey are also among the group that will watch from the sideline.

“They need less runway to take off, to be honest with you, because of their experience and where they’re at in their careers,” Tomlin said Thursday.

Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in early June, said Wednesday he was open to making a rare exhibition game appearance. Tomlin doesn’t think it’s required, though he didn’t rule out Rodgers making a cameo on the field later in the pre-season.

The first-team offence struggled in the early days of training camp at Saint Vincent College. Tomlin said there’s been a notable “upswing,” a major factor in why he’s in no hurry to rush the NFL’s oldest player into game action.

“I just make judgments based on what I’m looking at,” Tomlin said. “I just feel comfortable with what I’ve seen during this portion of the process that makes me (OK with Rodgers sitting out).”

Rookie quarterback Will Howard is unavailable after injuring his right (throwing) hand on Tuesday. Tomlin described Howard as “week to week,” and said there’s a chance Howard will be available at some point later this month.

The Steelers signed well-travelled backup quarterback Logan Woodside to pick up some of the reps with Howard out. Woodside has a long relationship with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The two were together in Tennessee in 2019 and 2020 when Smith was the Titans’ offensive coordinator. Woodside also spent time in Atlanta during Smith’s three-year tenure as Falcons’ head coach.

There’s a chance Woodside could be available to play against the Jaguars, though the bulk of the snaps will likely be split between veteran Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson.

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Mahomes, Chiefs starters to play in preseason opener against Cardinals

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is glad that coach Andy Reid is sending him onto the field with the rest of their starters when Kansas City visits the Arizona Cardinals for their preseason opener Saturday night.

“I don’t necessarily look forward to getting hit,” Mahomes added with a smile Thursday.

Getting hit is exactly why some teams have eschewed playing starters at all in the preseason. When coaches finally decided it wasn’t worth the risk to their most valuable players, they began sitting them for one or two games, and last year, teams such as the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles sat them for the entirety of their exhibition slate.

That has never been Reid’s preference, though. Nor has it been that of Mahomes, who believes it does him some good to get hit — once, at least — so that he can get into the right mindset for the rest of the preseason and ultimately the regular season.

“There’s always a little shock,” Mahomes said.

Now, don’t get any misconceptions. The Chiefs might only have those starters on the field for a single series in Arizona, especially if it goes well. But the plan, at least after their final practice before their opener, was that each quarterback will get a full quarter — Mahomes the first, Gardner Minshew the second, Bailey Zappe the third and Chris Oladokun the fourth.

The rest of the offense would presumably follow suit.

There are certainly things that the three-time defending AFC champions want to see out of their preseason opener. Tops on the list is their new-look offense line, where first-round pick Josh Simmons has already turned some heads as the new left tackle and Kingsley Suamataia has the inside track on replacing two-time All-Pro Joe Thuney at left guard.

The Chiefs have invested heavily in their offensive line, both in draft capital and financial resources, over the past couple years, and the need to upgrade the left side in particular became evident in their Super Bowl loss in February.

There is also some competition for the final spots at wide receiver, and some different names could get some extended looks with the first-team offense. That’s because Rashee Rice is sidelined with a groin injury and Marquise Brown with an ailing ankle.

“I think (my advice) is go out there and do what they’re doing this camp,” Mahomes said. “It’s going to be a bigger stage going up against another team, but I think Coach Reid prepares us better than anybody else in the league to go out there and play your best football. We practice hard and we practice fast so when it gets to the game, it’s not that huge step up.”

It’s still a substantial one, especially given Arizona is taking the same approach as Kansas City this year.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, who held out quarterback Kyler Murray and others his first two years and barely played any starters in the preseason last year, said this week, “I told them (Monday) night that they are going to play.”

“It’s the best thing for our team this year, honestly,” Gannon explained. “We are at a good point with our health, we’re at a good point with our development, and I think this year with our team it’s the best thing to do for our guys.”

NOTES: Hall of Fame WR Terrell Owens watched the Chiefs practice at Missouri Western on Thursday. He played two seasons for Reid in Philadelphia. “Just watching people grow, I’m in a great position to see that,” Reid said. … Former Raiders coach Antonio Pierce also has been in camp, helping longtime friend and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “Maybe we’ll ask him about some Las Vegas Raiders stuff,” Spagnuolo said with a smile. … CB Kristian Fulton (knee) came off the PUP list and took part in individual drills Thursday. LB Drue Tranquill (back) also returned to practice.

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Jaguars to play starters, rookie Travis Hunter in pre-season opener

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter will make his professional debut playing both sides of the ball.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Coen said Thursday that Hunter and most of the team’s other starters will play in their preseason opener against Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

“Everybody’s going to play in this game,” Coen said. “A lot of the guys want to play. Two new systems on both sides of the ball. … You can do whatever you want, but everything leans that way in probably being the best thing for our team right now.”

The Steelers have not announced whether they will play any starters. Coen said he planned to connect with Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin later Thursday to share his plan.

Coen said quarterback Trevor Lawrence, centre Robert Hainsey and others expressed a desire to be on the field in at least the first preseason game. Lawrence hasn’t taken a snap in a live-ball situation since sustaining a concussion against Houston in early December; he had season-ending shoulder surgery soon thereafter.

“I’ll be excited to get back out there,” Lawrence said. “It’s been a while, so anytime you can play — even preseason — it means something to get on that field.”

Lawrence is learning his third offensive system in five NFL seasons and has two new receivers — including Hunter — as well as two new offensive line starters. The Jaguars even have several new faces on defence, too.

“All of that is kind of what points to (playing),” Coen said. “Look, if we had three (joint practices) and two days of work (within) each of those joints, we probably wouldn’t be playing (starters). That’s just kind of where we’re at. We’ve got to go and probably take advantage of these opportunities.”

All eyes will be on Lawrence and Hunter, who is trying to become the most diverse player in NFL history. The former Colorado star and the second overall pick in the NFL draft is penciled in as a starting slot receiver and a backup cornerback in Jacksonville.

Hunter started switching sides of the ball in practice last week, the latest expansion of his dual role.

“He wants to prove people wrong,” fellow cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. “I feel like that’s the type of mindset you have to have to go and be awesome and a competitor out here. Of course he has all the skillsets, but I think it’s the mental aspect of it that makes him different.

“He’s going to show you. He’s going to try to do it tenfold and put his best foot forward doing both things, and whatever they ask him to do, he’s going to do it at full speed. Like I said, his mental fortitude for it is unmatched.”

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Canucks sign forward Vitali Kravtsov one-year, two-way contract

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way contract, the NHL club announced Tuesday.

The 25-year-old had 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League last season.

He added six goals and an assist in 19 playoff games, helping Chelyabinsk reach the Gagarin Cup final.

The six-foot-three, 186-pound forward has six goals and six assists in 64 NHL games with the  New York Rangers and Canucks over the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons.

Kravtsov was originally selected by the Rangers in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2018 NHL draft.

He was acquired by the Canucks on Feb. 25, 2023, for forward William Lockwood and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

“Vitali had a strong season in the KHL and was an impact player for his team,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a release. “In his two seasons in Russia, he has worked hard on his game, and we look forward to seeing where Vitali is at when he comes to training camp.”

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Former NFL player convicted in large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY — A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced.

Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he’s formally sentenced at a later date.

“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”

Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold “stud rights” and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged.

Johnson’s attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him.

“He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,” Coyle said. “Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.”

Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property.

Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents.

Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.

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Trump creating task force for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday established a task force on the 2028 Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles that he said would ensure the event is “safe, seamless and historically successful.”

The 2028 Games will be the first Olympics to be hosted by the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Setting up the task force reflects the intense planning that comes with hosting the Olympics, as well as Trump’s desire to be involved in an event he considers one of the highlights of his term.

“The L.A. Olympics is shaping up to be a wonderful moment for America. It’s going to be incredible. It’s so exciting,” Trump said as he signed an executive order at the White House establishing the task force.

The executive order calls for the task force to coordinate security and planning for the Games, streamline visa processing and credentialing for the athletes, coaches, media and other visitors coming to the U.S.

Trump said that “we’ll do anything necessary to keep the Olympics safe,” adding that could potentially include deploying “our National Guard or military.”

Earlier this year, Trump sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests.

Trump will serve as chair of the task force, with Vice President JD Vance as vice chair. Other members include a number of Cabinet secretaries and administration officials, like Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who appeared alongside Trump on Tuesday.

Also present were Olympic champion gymnast Nastia Liukin and Brad Snyder, a swimmer who competed at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Trump praised Gene Sykes, chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee board of directors, for the USOPC’s move to effectively bar transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

“The United States will not let men steal trophies from women at the 2028 Olympics,” Trump said.

He questioned why he didn’t hear applause from the room when he praised Sykes for it, and then received some claps from some people in the room.

Trump “considers it a great honour to oversee this global sporting spectacle,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, calling sports one of the president’s “greatest passions.” During the signing event, LA28 president and chair Casey Wasserman presented Trump with a set of gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1984 Olympic Games, which were held in Los Angeles.

“Can I say I won them athletically?” Trump asked, as he displayed the medals to an audience of reporters.

Wasserman said the task force “marks an important step forward in our planning efforts and reflects our shared commitment to delivering not just the biggest, but the greatest Games the world has ever seen in the summer of 2028.”

Along with the 2028 Summer Games, Trump has said that the 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico is among the events he’s most looking forward to in his second term.

In preparation for next year’s competition, the governments of all three countries on Tuesday said they had held the first meeting of a trilateral coordinating council of government officials, industry leaders and security professionals discussing a variety of issues, including preparedness for any security threats ahead of the World Cup.

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Maple Leafs sign defenceman William Villeneuve to one-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing back some AHL depth.

Defenceman William Villeneuve signed a one-year, two-way contraction extension, the team announced on Tuesday.

Villeneuve, 23, put up 40 points (four goals, 36 assists) in 55 games with the Marlies last season. Over 165 career AHL games, he has 90 points (nine goals, 81 assists).

The Sherbrooke, Que., native was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round of the 2020 draft.

He played junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs, winning the Memorial Cup in 2022.

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Reports: Rams lock up RB Kyren Williams to three-year contract extension

The Los Angeles Rams have locked up their top running back to an extension.

Kyren Williams agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with $23 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

The Rams’ fifth-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft was heading into the final year of his rookie deal.

Last season, Williams rushed for 1,299 yards on 316 carries while putting up a career-high 14 rushing touchdowns, adding 34 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Through three seasons, Williams has 2,582 career rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2023 and was also named to the Pro Bowl.

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Packers CB Nate Hobbs remains out of practice after knee procedure

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs has undergone a surgical procedure on his knee that will keep him out of training camp for now.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday he didn’t want to speculate on when Hobbs might return. Green Bay Packers on SI first reported Hobbs’ injury and said he could return in about three weeks.

“I’m not going to put a timetable on it, but unfortunately he had to have something cleaned up,” LaFleur said. “We’re hoping to get him back here sooner than later.”

Hobbs didn’t practice on Friday or Saturday. LaFleur said he believed the injury occurred during a collision in training camp.

The Packers signed Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract in March after he spent his first four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 26-year-old Hobbs started 38 games, forced three fumbles and intercepted three passes during his time in Las Vegas.

Hobbs is expected to help the Packers absorb the loss of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who got released in June and has since signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers entered training camp with Keisean Nixon, Hobbs and Carrington Valentine as their top three cornerbacks.

The Packers have attempted to boost their cornerback depth by having wide receiver Bo Melton work primarily on defence in training camp. They also added a familiar face Monday by signing Corey Ballentine, three days after the Indianapolis Colts released him.

Ballentine, 29, made seven starts and appeared in 37 regular-season games and three playoff contests with the Packers from 2022-24. He contributed primarily on special teams last season.

“(He’s) a guy that’s got experience and knows our system not only on defence but on ‘we-fence,’” LaFleur said, referring to the nickname the Packers have for special teams. “Really excited to see him.”

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CF Montreal profits from Philadelphia Union transfer deal for F Milan Iloski

The Philadelphia Union acquired striker Milan Iloski from Denmark’s FC Nordsjælland on Tuesday in a deal that netted CF Montreal up to US$250,000 in general allocation money.

Montreal was involved because it held the first overall spot in the MLS waiver order, allowing the Union to sign Iloski. 

Philadelphia sent the Canadian side its 21st spot in the waiver order.

Montreal acquired $100,000 in 2025 general allocation money and up to $150,000 in conditional GAM.

Philadelphia, which hosts Toronto FC in league play Saturday, has signed Iloski through 2027 with an option for 2028.

Iloski, 26, played 14 games (including three starts) on loan with San Diego FC this season before returning to FC Nordsjælland in mid-July.

“Milan is a dynamic, instinctive goal scorer who thrives in attacking transition,” Philadelphia sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a statement. “His ability to convert goal chances is extraordinary and he has a willingness to defend. We look forward to integrating him into the team quickly.”

Iloski scored 10 goals and added one assist for San Diego, making MLS history by scoring four goals in a 12-minute span against the Vancouver Whitecaps to register the fastest four-goal performance in league history.

Before joining San Diego, Iloski scored 43 goals and added 11 assists in 70 matches over two seasons for Orange County SC in the USL Championship. In 2022, he won the league’s Golden Boot with 22 goals in 31 games.

A native of Escondido, Calif., Iloski played three seasons at UCLA. He played for Golden State Force and Ogden City SC before signing with Real Salt Lake as a homegrown player in 2020.

In other Montreal news, defender Fernando Álvarez has been suspended two games for “showing disrespect” to the match officials in a 2-1 Leagues Cup loss to Mexico’s Toluca on Friday.

Alvarez, shown a red card after the final whistle, will miss Tuesday’s Leagues Cup game against Mexico’s Puebla. If Montreal does not advance in the tournament, Alvarez will serve the second game of his suspension in the next edition of the Leagues Cup.

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Report: Toronto FC signs midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Colorado for $8M

Toronto FC is getting a substantial upgrade to their attacking corps.

The club has agreed to a deal for midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, signing him for $8 million from the Colorado Rapids, Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport reported Monday.

According to Bogert, the deal includes $1 million in add-ons and the Rapids have added a sell-on clause, meaning they’ll receive a percentage of profits should TFC sell him in the future.

The Rapids had reportedly been approached about Mihailovic, but they didn’t want to sell the midfielder over the summer. However, Mihailovic asked to leave the club in recent days, forcing their hand to sell him to Toronto.

The deal is not yet finalized, as Mihailovic and TFC are reportedly still in talks over a new long-term contract.

Mihailovic has been one of Colorado’s most productive players since joining the club from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2024. In 63 appearances with the Rapids, he has 23 goals and 18 assists in all competitions.

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Mihailovic has experience suiting up North of the border, having played 68 games with CF Montreal from 2021 to 2022 and finishing with 16 goals and 21 assists in all competitions.

The $8 million transfer fee is a club record for the Rapids.

Earlier on Monday, TFC pocketed $100,000 after Los Angeles FC completed a deal for Scottish defender Ryan Porteous from British club Watford.

LAFC sent the allocation money to TFC because the Canadian club held Porteous’s Major League Soccer discovery priority rights.

— With files from the Canadian Press

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Braves third baseman Austin Riley returns to IL with abdominal strain

ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley was placed on the 10-day injured list for the second time in two months with a strained lower abdominal muscle on Monday.

Riley suffered the injury while tagging out Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz near home plate in the Braves’ 4-2 win on Sunday in the rain-delayed MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Riley also landed on the IL on July 12 with a strained abdomen. He returned on July 25.

The Braves recalled infielders Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Jonathan Ornelas from Triple-A Gwinnett before opening a home series against Milwaukee on Monday night. The team optioned outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Gwinnett following Sunday’s game.

Riley is hitting .260 with 16 homers and 54 RBI.

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A’s find hope in Nick Kurtz and young stars as team eyes Las Vegas in 2028

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Even Athletics veterans walk around the clubhouse wearing “Nick Kurtz goes yard” T-shirts, and they know what he means for the franchise’s future.

Kurtz, who recently had one of the greatest individual performances in big-league history, is the odds-on favourite to be AL Rookie of the Year. He’s hardly the only talented youngster giving A’s fans — wherever they might be — reason to feel optimistic about the team’s on-field direction.

The A’s are in transition in more ways than one. Most notably, the club is playing the first of what’s expected to be three seasons in Sacramento — a temporary, minor league home for the former Oakland franchise until a new stadium is scheduled to be ready in Las Vegas for 2028.

The roster is shaping up to be a dynamic and competitive one when they arrive. Kurtz is the headliner, but teammate Jacob Wilson was the second favourite for top rookie before going on the injured list last week with a broken left forearm. Lawrence Butler, an electric outfield defender with pop and speed, also looks like a centrepiece for the type of team the A’s want to take to Las Vegas.

The club added 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries on Thursday as part of a multiplayer trade with San Diego that sent out closer Mason Miller and his 101-m.p.h. fastball. MLB.com rates De Vries as baseball’s No. 3 prospect.

Also on the roster — and under contract through at least 2028 — is All-Star designated hitter Brent Rooker. Kurtz, Wilson and catcher Shea Langeliers are among the starters who could be under team control with the planned move to Las Vegas. That core isn’t translating into wins yet — the team is 49-65 this season, worst in the AL West — largely because the team’s pitching lags behind.

“We certainly want to win in present day and ‘26 and ’27 are important to us, but a lot of our internal conversations are about what the team will look like in 2028 when we get to Las Vegas,” A’s general manager David Forst said. “You can see it in some of the contracts we signed, starting obviously with the manager (Mark Kotsay), but also with Rooker and Lawrence, making sure that two of our key guys are locked up into our time in Vegas.”

Whether management keeps the team together is a question. The A’s have a history of trading young players on the verge of landing lucrative contracts and keeping their payroll among the lowest in baseball.

Maybe that changes with the anticipated move to Las Vegas, given that owner John Fisher might want to bring a competitive team to the market. The A’s, in fact, opened up the wallet this year and signed Rooker to a $60 million, five-year contract and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with Butler.

“I feel like we’re headed in the right direction,” Butler said. “We’ve got a lot of young players. When a team calls up young players, they might not be ready, but I feel like all our guys are ready. They’ve shown that they can compete at this level.”

Butler, 25, is part of a clubhouse filled with promising 20-somethings.

“In this locker room, I am kind of the old man,” the 30-year-old Rooker said. “I don’t know if I take them under my wing. These guys are better players than I am. They don’t need the help.”

Kurtz and Wilson were battling it out for the AL’s top first-year player award, and maybe that competition will continue if and when Wilson — the first fan-elected rookie shortstop to the All-Star Game — returns to the lineup.

Kurtz has done his best to make it a one-man race. He became the first rookie to hit four home runs in a game and tied the major-league record with 19 total bases by going six for six with eight RBIs on July 25 at Houston.

His performance has earned him AL player of the month, AL rookie of the month and consecutive player of the week honours. He led the majors in multiple categories in July, including batting average (.395), on-base percentage (.480) and slugging percentage (.953). The 22-year-old already has shown a knack for delivering in key moments with seven game-winning RBIs and five go-ahead homers.

“It’s the moment you dream about as a kid,” Kurtz said. “You’re in a spot where you can end the game with a walk-off or take the lead. Baseball’s so hard. You’re supposed to get out. I come through here, it’s freakin’ awesome. I think I just aim to be calm and I trust my process.”

Kotsay said before the trade deadline that for all the young hitting talent, the A’s could use help with their pitching.

The A’s then added three pitching prospects in the Miller trade and another in right-hander Kenya Huggins when Miguel Andujar was sent to Cincinnati. They have 25-year-old Jack Perkins, called up Luis Morales on Friday and have Gage Jump in their minor-league system. The A’s also selected Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold 11th overall in this year’s draft.

“Where we’ve struggled this year is pitching, both rotation and bullpen,” Forst said. “When we’ve had success on the mound, that’s when we’ve put some good little stretches together.”

Outside of a horrendous stint when the A’s lost 20 of 21 games, they have been largely competitive. That includes a current run of seven wins in 10 games.

“In terms of our vision, in terms of putting a group together that we can win with, I think that talent, especially on the players position side is just showing itself,” Kotsay said recently. “(They are) continuing to make improvements and continuing to show what our priorities are, which is playing the game at an elite level and becoming a team that goes out and competes every night.”

The A’s signed Kotsay to an extension in February that takes him through 2028 with an option for 2029. He has had to navigate a club that experienced fan anger in Oakland toward management for its impending move and now playing in Sacramento.

“I think (Kotsay’s) got one of the tougher jobs in baseball right now in the sense of trying to get the buy-in from the players,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “There’s so much uncertainty with the ballpark and where they’re going to be. I think he’s done a fantastic job. He’s a lifelong A, so he understands the culture of the organization. … He’s the perfect guy for that organization.”

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WNBA-leading Lynx acquire DiJonai Carrington from Wings

WNBA-leading Minnesota acquired DiJonai Carrington in a trade Sunday from the Dallas Wings for Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson and the Lynx’s second-round pick in 2027.

Carrington averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20 games for the Wings, who acquired her from Connecticut in February as part of a four-team trade. This is the fifth WNBA season for the 5-foot-11 guard/forward.

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick by the Lynx in the draft two years ago, is averaging 4.1 points a game this season. Since scoring 12.1 points a game as a rookie in 2023, the 6-3 forward from Maryland has averaged only 3.5 points in 47 games the past two seasons.

Samuelson hasn’t played since June 29 because of surgery on her left foot after playing only 16 games for the Lynx, who got the six-foot guard from Washington in April. She played four games for Dallas in 2019.

The Wings waived 6-7 centre Teaira McCowan, a seven-year WNBA veteran, to make room on the roster for the additions. McCowan averaged 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 games this season.

Minnesota is 24-5 this season. The Wings, with No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers, have lost eight of their last 10 games and are 8-21.

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Manfred downplays spat with Phillies’ Harper, Cubs to host 2027 All-Star Game

CHICAGO — The Friendly Confines are set to host The Midsummer Classic.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made it official, announcing during a news conference Friday at home plate that the 2027 All-Star Game will be held at Wrigley Field.

Baseball’s second-oldest ballpark hasn’t hosted an All-Star Game since 1990. Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg — who died Monday of cancer — won the Home Run Derby that year. Wrigley also hosted All-Star Games in 1947 and 1962.

Manfred, who was joined by Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, cited the “amazing transformation” of the ballpark and surrounding streets in the past decade as part of a massive renovation by the Ricketts family.

The Cubs first approached the league about hosting an All-Star Game eight years ago. But for a variety of reasons, including competition from other cities and safety concerns with the ballpark in a bustling neighborhood, they weren’t awarded one until now. Chicago cleared a big hurdle in June, when the city passed an ordinance allowing sidewalks along Addison Street to be widened and removable bollards to be installed around the ballpark.

“I think we’re probably overdue in terms of being at Wrigley,” Manfred said. “The Ricketts family, city of Chicago and state of Illinois made a tremendous investment not just in the ballpark but the area around it. I think it’ll be a fantastic venue for our All-Star celebration.”

Wrigley Field is set to join Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium and the old Yankee Stadium as the only ballparks to host four All-Star Games. The city of Chicago will host the event for the eighth time, second only to New York with nine.

Pritzker, a Cubs fan, called Wrigley Field “the perfect place to host the All-Star Game.”

“For over 100 years, this has been the beating heart of the baseball world and a shining emblem of our nation’s favourite pastime,” he said. “There’s no place like it.”

Ricketts lived in the neighbourhood the last time the Cubs hosted the All-Star Game. But he wasn’t able to attend.

“I didn’t have dough,” he said.

Ricketts figures to have an up-close view this time, assuming the game is played as scheduled. There is some doubt with baseball’s collective bargaining agreement set to expire following the 2026 season, though Manfred expressed confidence the owners and players will avoid a lengthy work stoppage.

Asked about a potential contingency plan if there is a strike or lockout, he said: “My contingency plan is to make an agreement with the players and play the 2027 season.”

Manfred and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper had a spirited exchange last week during a question-and-answer session between the commissioner and the team. In that meeting, Manfred spoke about the media landscape and working together to grow the sport, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. At some point, Harper told Manfred if he was there to talk about a salary cap, he could “get the (expletive) out” of the clubhouse.

“I think more has been made out of this than needs to be made out of it,” Manfred said Friday. “Bryce expressed his views. At the end of the meeting, we shook hands and went our separate ways. Not all that significant.”

Philadelphia hosts the 2026 All-Star Game.

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Yankees release Stroman after busy trade deadline, but new additions falter in debut

MIAMI — The New York Yankees released veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman on Friday, a day after making a flurry of moves at baseball’s trade deadline.

The Yankees acquired All-Star relievers David Bednar and Camilo Doval, as well as utilityman José Caballero in separate trades Thursday. New York also optioned right-handers Ian Hamilton and Yerry de los Santos to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room on the 26-man roster.

The Yankees’ new pieces had less-than-ideal debuts in Friday’s 13-12 loss at Miami, where New York blew multiple big leads.

Bednar allowed four hits and two earned runs — including a home run — in 1 2/3 innings. Doval took the loss after blowing a save opportunity with the Yankees leading in the ninth. Marlins All-Star Kyle Stowers hit a grand slam off reliever Jake Bird, who was added from Colorado. And Caballero had a costly error in right field in the ninth that allowed the Marlins to score two runs and tie the game.

“It’s part of being a reliever,” Bednar said. “Sometimes stuff like that happens. It’s all about how you respond and how you’re able to bounce back.”

Doval added that he thought he executed his pitches well.

“Things did not come out like I wanted,” he said in Spanish. “That is something you can’t control.”

Stroman, who is in his 11th season in the majors, was cut ahead of the opener of a three-game series against the Marlins and is owed about $5.7 million.

“Obviously, that was tough today,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before the game. “The perception around Stro for us, if you got to be around him the last couple of years, he’s an awesome competitor.”

Stroman signed a two-year deal worth $37 million with New York before the start of last season and is owed $5,709,677 of his $18 million salary this year. Any team can sign him for a prorated share of the $760,000 minimum.

His contract included an $18 million conditional player option for 2026 that could have been exercised if he pitched 140 or more innings in 2025. Stroman pitched only 39 innings so far this season — he missed 2 1/2 months with left knee inflammation.

Boone said Stroman took the news of his release like “a pro.”

“Had a good interaction with him,” Boone said. “I feel he’ll be a guy I’ll stay in touch with for the rest of our lives. Appreciative of him.”

Stroman made his ninth start of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, picking up the win after allowing four runs and six hits in five innings.

Stroman is 3-2 with a 6.23 ERA.

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CFL, Blue Bombers monitoring Winnipeg air quality ahead of game against Argos

WINNIPEG — The CFL and Winnipeg Blue Bombers say they’re monitoring air quality ahead of Friday’s scheduled game against the Toronto Argonauts.

Forest fire smoke from northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba has drifted into the Manitoba capital.  Winnipeg’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was at 10-plus — or very high risk — as of 10 a.m. local time.

The game at Princess Auto Stadium was still set for 7:30 p.m., with air quality expected to improve throughout the day, the league and team said in a post on the Bombers’ X account, formerly Twitter.

The CFL’s air quality policy states that if the AQHI reaches eight or above, which Environment Canada deems high risk, during warmups or the game, the players will be sent to their dressing rooms.

All CFL stadiums are equipped with real-time, air-quality monitoring systems and an update was expected in the afternoon.

Poor air quality in Regina forced the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders to postpone their July 13 game to the following afternoon.

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