July 1, 2026 4:28 am
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. team spent Monday like millions of other interested followers of the World Cup. The players watched thrilling games from other venues that included a major upset with Germany falling to Paraguay, three games that went down to the wire and two nervy shootouts. Then the reality quickly set in that they would soon be back in the spotlight themselves. The U.S. has a round of 32 matchup against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday that will go a long way to determining how successful this World Cup will be.
July 1, 2026 4:26 am
LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers and plans to play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere. His decision is perhaps the biggest domino that will fall during the NBA’s offseason player movement window, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded by Milwaukee to Miami — one of James’ former stops. The Lakers released a statement Tuesday thanking James for his eight seasons with the club. James can begin talking officially to new clubs after 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, when the league’s free agent period opens. He will not be able to sign with a new team until July 6.
July 1, 2026 4:27 am
LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6) 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in her first professional singles match in nearly four years in the opening round of Wimbledon. The 44-year-old Williams showed off the same powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes that led her to 23 Grand Slam singles titles — seven of them at Wimbledon — but Joint was able to handle the American standout’s pace and win the big points by moving Williams around on Centre Court. Williams played two doubles matches just before Wimbledon to announce her comeback to the sport she once dominated but she hadn’t played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open.
June 30, 2026 4:24 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez and Jared Triolo both hit home runs to help the Pittsburgh Pirates escape an early five-run deficit, and Endy Rodriguez closed the deal with a three-run homer in the ninth for an 11-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. The Pirates posted a six-run fifth inning against struggling starter Aaron Nola. The Phillies fought back with two runs in the eighth to cut the lead to one run, but Rodriquez homered on a two-out pitch off reliever Chase Shugart in the ninth.
June 30, 2026 4:27 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — José Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup. The Round of 32 match ended 1-1 after extra time. Paraguay took the lead when Julio Enciso scored on a header late in the first half, but Kai Havertz equalized in the 52nd minute for four-time champion Germany. Paraguay will next face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden in the round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia.
June 30, 2026 4:29 am
GUADALUPE, Mexico (AP) — Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout, and Morocco sent the Netherlands to its earliest World Cup exit, eliminating the Dutch 3-2 after a 1-1 draw. With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save of Crysencio Summerville’s attempt, batting it away with his left hand. The Netherlands had reached at least the round of 16 in 11 previous World Cups, including a quarterfinal appearance four years ago, when Morocco reached the semifinals. Morocco moves on to face Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Houston.
June 30, 2026 4:26 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sportsbook operators are seeing record betting on this year’s World Cup. The event is in North America, allowing U.S. audiences to watch live. And the U.S. team has high expectations after winning its first two matches. Caesars Sportsbook’s Mark Bickerdike says the betting has exceeded expectations. DraftKings’ Johnny Avello compares the wagering to the NCAA Tournament, saying it could be the biggest event of the year. BetMGM’s Christian Cipollini expects the U.S. game against Bosnia-Herzegovina to be the sportsbook’s most bet-on soccer game ever. France and Argentina are favorites, but long-shot bets are also popular.
June 29, 2026 4:24 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn homered twice and drove in four runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The win helped the Pirates avoid a series sweep. O’Hearn put Pittsburgh ahead 5-4 in the fifth inning with a 421-foot drive. After a rain delay in the eighth, he hit a three-run shot to make it 8-4. Esmerlyn Valdéz also homered for the third straight game. Mitch Keller pitched six innings, allowing four runs for the win. Tyler Callihan also homered for the Pirates, who scored four runs in the second inning before recording an out.
June 29, 2026 4:26 am
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Eustáquio scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Canada beat South Africa 1-0 for its first knockout match victory in a World Cup. A tense match appeared to be headed for extra time until Eustáquio put a stunning volley from outside the penalty area into the bottom corner of Ronwen Williams’ net. Eustáquio plays professionally for Los Angeles FC several miles away from SoFi Stadium. Canada hung on with strong defensive play in the final minutes and advanced to face the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday, July 4.
June 29, 2026 4:25 am
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler celebrated as though he won and it must have felt that way. He made an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Viktor Hovland at the Travelers Championship. That will have to wait until Monday. The final round was stopped for 90 minutes because of storms at the TPC River Highlands. Hovland had three straight birdies to catch Scheffler and they finished with three pars. The delay meant it was too dark to contest even one playoff hole. That means they will return Monday morning to complete the final signature event.
