Los Angeles, CA – USC hosted a fulfilling Media Day on Monday for their team at Heritage Hall, as the Fighting Trojans and positional coaches with the exception of a few whom participated at last week’s Big Ten Media Day sat with fi360news plus other regional media outlets.
Lincoln Riley in his fourth year as USC’s Head Coach opened up the team’s media event with a prompt welcome before departing the room to allow his returning players and members of his coaching staff to answer a range of questions.
“Mentality I feel is something huge particularly for a kicker, not making anything bigger than the moment,” last year UNLV transfer Caden Chittenden said about key preparation for the season, “you practice so much of the same thing it makes no point of overthinking it…I love verse James 1:1-2 because I feel faith is so important in every aspect of your life that if you keep a strong, firm foundation in what you believe in you’ll be able to do much more than just by yourself.”
From transfers and redshirts describing how they’re grappling with Riley’s complex offense, others embracing team nutritionist “Ms. Rachel” alongside new coaches such as “Coach True” plus an unveiling of a shared faith amongst most of the team present on today demonstrated by their keen focus of “keeping the main thing, the main thing, ” Returning veteran player Anthony Beavers said.
Braylan Shelby DE
Beavers continued with his outlook of the program’s culture, “this is a hard-nosed program where it’s kind of easy to get blinded by the glitz and glamour in LA, but we honor those whom came before us by carrying on a hard-nose tradition.”
Coach Anthony Jones, USC’s running back coach for his second season, pressed upon a satisfying impression of how their running backs practicing hard thus far, but of note was the Fighting Trojans’ team in unison praising and uplifting one another culminated by the team’s last summer workout at the beach.
Jayden Maiava QB
“That was my first time actually having a beach workout,” Linebacker TáMere Robinson said, “I’m not from where a beach is at and it was a great team-bonding activity which afterwards we all jumped into the ocean.”
Beavers added, “I think we have unique characters and we did a great job this [off season] hanging out more as a team.”
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and athletic trainer Lauren Askevold talks with media about his recent bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment at the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Monday July 28, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
On a beautiful Monday morning in Boulder, Colorado, a room filled with reporters and media outlets was noticeably quieter than usual. The atmosphere was tense, not with anticipation of a game or a recruit, but because of the two name tags placed on the conference table: Dr. Janet Kukreja, Director of Urologic Oncology at CU Cancer Center and UCHealth, and Lauren Askevold, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Colorado Buffaloes. Askevold, a trusted figure who has been by Coach Prime’s side since his days at Jackson State, was present, signaling that this press conference was deeply personal.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders talks about his recent bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment while flanked by athletic trainer Lauren Askevold (right) and Dr. Janet Kukreja (left) at the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Monday July 28, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
When Coach Prime—Deion Sanders—entered the room, the air shifted. Wearing his signature blue overalls, a tan cowboy hat, signature Blenders shades, and multiple gold chains, he lit up the room with his smile. His calm, confident swagger gleaming happy to be back in the fold.
Wasting no time, Coach Prime greeted everyone warmly and introduced Dr. Kukreja and Askevold, immediately dispelling any speculation that he might be stepping down from coaching. Instead, he handed the floor to them to explain what had been unfolding behind the scenes since spring.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders talks with media about his recent bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment at the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Monday July 28, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Askevold began by explaining that during a routine CT scan, something concerning appeared in Coach Prime’s chart. It led his medical team to recommend further consultation with Dr. Kukreja. She confirmed the presence of an aggressive form of cancer in one of Sanders’ kidneys. When asked how he responded to the news, Askevold said simply, “He said he knows he’s God’s favorite—and that he’s going to overcome this.”
True to form, Coach Prime chose surgery as his path forward, never wavering in his faith. He kept the diagnosis private, choosing not to share it with his younger sons, Shilo and Shedeur—both currently in NFL training camps with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead, he confided in his oldest son, Deion Sanders Jr., and his daughters.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and Dr. Janet Kukreja talks with media about his recent bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment at the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Monday July 28, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Support poured in behind the scenes. NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss called Coach Prime every day, offering prayers and sharing wisdom from his own battle with a similar condition. In a YouTube video posted to the Well Off Media page, Deion Jr. revealed how he wanted to be at his father’s side every moment. But his father, ever the visionary, encouraged him to document the journey—“to show what God can do.”
Coach Prime expressed deep gratitude for Deion Jr., saying he never left his side. He also shared that not even the coaching staff or players were aware of his diagnosis until just one day before the press conference.
Throughout the event, Sanders showed tremendous resilience. Drawing inspiration from the Book of Job, he shared how God allows trials to ultimately bring Him glory. Coach Prime made it clear: he had no plans of missing any games and was thrilled to be back with his team in Boulder.
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and athletic trainer Lauren Askevold talks with media about his recent bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment at the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Monday July 28, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
“God answers prayers,” he said, with the same unwavering faith that has defined his life on and off the field.
Los Angeles, CA – Hope springs eternal as all 32 NFL teams kicked off training camp by holding practices this weekend with club-led fan events incluiding the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. On Saturday, July 26 NFL fans and families flocked to Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union Loyola Marymount University to watch the Rams. Many fans were eager to see new Wide Receiver Davante Adam’s.
Adams was signed this off season to replace former Rams legend, Cooper Kupp, who is now a division foe as the newest Seattle Seahawk.
Adams feels like he’s “living in luxury.” which is a testament to how comfortable he is compared to his previous stops with the Jets and Raiders.
Adams (17) Photo by Jevone Moore
“For Davante to say that, that means the world to me because of the respect and admiration I have for him as a person, as a player,” said Rams Head Coach Sean McVay.
As the Rams conduct their first training camp practice in pads on Monday, they will do so without quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Head coach Sean McVay on Saturday said Stafford, who is dealing with back soreness, will not practice next week. The veteran QB – he was scheduled to do so during the second five-day block of camp – and the team will take it “a week at a time” with him, but the goal remains to have him back for Week 1 against the Texans.
On defense, inside linebacker Nate Landman continues to shine while outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young made some noise. Offensively, competitive situation drills and deep passing headlined the day.
The two minute drill was the most exciting moment on this gorgeous early morning practice. Backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo displayed veteran grit responded with an intermediate completion to Puka Nacua, then a deep completion to Davante Adams before spiking the ball to stop the clock for a series of field goal attempts by kicker Josh Karty.
Garoppolo (11) Photo by Jevone Moore
For an encore, One of Garoppolo’s best passes of the day came on a ball he launched down the left sideline to Adams, who made the catch look easy. Adams signed a two year deal this offseason,.
The signing of the three-time All-Pro receiver bolsters the Rams’ receiving corps as they move on from Cooper Kupp.
With the Rams being one of the league’s best teams, every week is an arduous battle as they are forced to play a first-place schedule this year, which is why their path to the playoffs is so difficult. Despite the tough 17-game slate, the Rams are viewed as Super Bowl contenders once again.
The Los Angeles Rams are projected to win 9.5 games in the 2025 NFL season. This is based on various betting odds.
Rams open the pre-season schedule at SoFi Stadium against “America’s Team,” the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 9. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 pm.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Fluminense scored twice in the second half to rally past Al Hilal 2-1 on Friday night at Camping World Stadium, earning a hard-fought victory in an international club matchup that showcased contrasting styles and late drama.
After conceding a first-half goal, the Brazilian side responded with sustained pressure after the break and finally broke through with two goals in a 20-minute span, flipping the match and holding off a late push from the Saudi club. The win marked an important result for Fluminense as it continued its summer international schedule against elite opposition.
Al Hilal struck first, taking advantage of a defensive lapse midway through the opening half. A quick transition caught Fluminense stretched, and the Saudi champions finished clinically to take a 1-0 lead, silencing much of the crowd made up largely of Brazilian supporters.
Photo by John Chapman
Fluminense, however, settled into the match as the half progressed, controlling possession and creating chances through patient buildup. Despite spending long stretches in the attacking half, the Rio de Janeiro club went into halftime trailing after failing to convert its opportunities.
“We were playing our game, but the final pass wasn’t there in the first half,” Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho said. “At halftime we talked about being more aggressive and trusting our movement.”
That adjustment paid off shortly after the restart. Fluminense increased its tempo and began winning second balls in midfield, pinning Al Hilal deep. The equalizer came when a sustained spell of pressure ended with a well-placed finish inside the penalty area, bringing the score level at 1-1 and energizing the crowd.
With momentum firmly on its side, Fluminense continued to push forward. The winning goal followed later in the second half, coming off a precise attacking sequence that split the Al Hilal defense and allowed the Brazilian side to slot home from close range for a 2-1 advantage.
Al Hilal attempted to respond by committing more numbers forward, relying on its physicality and direct play to test the Fluminense back line. The Saudi club generated a handful of late chances, including a dangerous free kick and a shot from distance, but was unable to find a second goal.
“We lost our shape in the second half, and Fluminense punished us,” an Al Hilal player said. “At this level, small mistakes decide matches.”
Photo by John Chapman
The first half had been more evenly balanced, with Al Hilal content to defend compactly and counterattack, while Fluminense focused on possession and short passing. Al Hilal’s early goal allowed it to sit deeper, forcing Fluminense to break down an organized defense.
The second half told a different story, as fitness and ball movement tilted the match. Fluminense finished with a clear edge in possession and chances created, while Al Hilal struggled to regain control once it fell behind.
The neutral-site setting in Orlando provided a lively backdrop, with fans braving summer heat to create a spirited atmosphere throughout the match.
Fluminense’s comeback victory underscored its resilience and tactical flexibility, while Al Hilal was left to rue a missed opportunity after a promising start. Both clubs will continue their international campaigns with lessons learned from a tightly contested match decided by second-half execution.
If you’d like, I can tighten this for a wire-length version, add goal times and scorers, or adjust the tone for a game notes recap.
Los Angeles, CA- Spoiling a homecoming for southern California native and former USC standout, KiKi Iriafen, Los Angeles Sparks was smooth sailing Tuesday night at Crypto arena in the second half after a dominating first half against the Washington Mystics with four starters scoring double figures again in their team’s second straight home win.
“I think you saw how bad we wanted this one, right?” Coach Lynne Roberts said. “It’s been a tough first part of the season, and it feels really good to play two games in a row well and to get a winning streak going and to protect our home court.”
Hamby (Photo by DeAngelo Jackson / fi360 News)
Wasting no time to set the tone for her team, Dearica Hamby led all scorers with 26 points and had 18 points at halftime including a buzzer-beater three-pointer. Kelsey Plum scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 20 points along with six assists.
“We have three people with 20 points and Azurá [Stevens] scored 15,” Rickea Jackson said. “That’s just what we do when we’re doing it on both ends like that, and it’s just fun basketball.”
The Sparks outscored Mystics 33-12 in second quarter, closing the half on a 17-2 run for a 25 point lead.
The Mystics would eventually awaken in the second half winning both third and fourth quarters by three points. But it was not enough to overcome the large deficit built by the Sparks as they maintained their double-digit lead to the end of the game, though coming up one point shy of breaking 100.
Plum (Photo by DeAngelo Jackson / fi360 News)
“It’s great to start the break on a win, right?” Plum said. “And I just think, obviously, people’s schedule’s been pretty crazy, just for everyone in the league. So resting, get your body right and then, obviously, we play Washington in Washington to start the break. So they’re going to come at us differently…”
Washington’s Shakira Austin led her team with 16 points and eight rebounds. Los Angeles were able to shutdown the Mystics two remarkable rookies, Iriafen and Sonia Citron, recently selected as WNBA All Stars. Instead it was Sug Sutton and Aaliyah Edwards stepping up to score, 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Washington (11-11) was on a three game winning streak and in current playoff position.
Meanwhile Los Angeles(8-14) is making a late push for a playoff spot while achieving their first win streak of the season that tied their total wins accrued last season.
Jackson (Photo by DeAngelo Jackson / fi360 News)
Jackson scored 13 of her 22 points in the second half. Julie Allemand did not score in double digits but dished 10 assists to produce a +22 rating.
The Sparks will be flying high onto All Star break with two crucial wins under them plus their leading scorer, Plum, selected to represent not only in Sunday’s action-packed game and earlier today’s announcement that she will be apart of the three point contest alongside Mystics’ Citron plus three other shooters.
Stevens shoots a jumper. (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)
Los Angeles, CA – Azurá Stevens bounced back with a double-double performance after her team’s home loss against the Lynx last Thursday, tallying 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Sparks stopped the visiting Connecticut Sun 90-86. It’s only the Sparks second home win this season after an almost two month drought.
Stevens got off to a slow start on the offense while Rickea Jackson took on the main character role in the first quarter, scoring 11 points off 5-6 shooting, despite the Sun taking a three point lead to end the quarter, 30-27.
Jackson (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)
Coach Lynne Roberts spoke in the pregame presser of how Stevens is their team’s X-factor when she is scoring and defending the way that she’s capable of, whether it’s blocking or boarding rebounds on the defensive end.
“[Azura Stevens] has been amazing and just steady…I’ve described her as the linchpin,” coach Roberts said. “She’s for the team, she’s about the team, she’s about winning, so she’s been phenomenal for us.”
Stevens appreciates acknowledgment of her consistent performance while her coach continues an outcry of her being overlooked by mainstream media.
Plum (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)
“From day one, they’ve just come in and just believed in me and I think we can see that on the court,” Stevens shared about coach Roberts and her teammates. “But, I don’t play for [recognition]. I play for the team. I play for the Sparks. I play for my family, myself, just to go out and put on a good show and be consistent.”
Stevens added, “So, respectfully, I don’t care what the media thinks. I’m just trying to do my job and play hard for these guys and for other people.”
Stevens recorded her seventh career double-double, while knocking down five triples for the game on 5-8 shooting behind the arc. Stevens remarked of her teammates making it easy for her by how they share the ball and find her in her spots on the floor.
Coach Roberts (Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)
Stevens scored the Sparks first eight points of the third, leading Los Angeles to a 55-50 advantage within first two minutes of the third. She had also two steals, one block and an assist.
Stevens got balanced support from her starting teammates, with Jackson, Dearica Hambry and Kelsey Plum scoring in double digits for a combined 80 of the team’s 90 total points.
4x All-Star Plum poured in 23 points after hitting 8-of-14 from the field, 3-of-7 from deep, and 4-of-4 from the foul line. She recorded her 537th triple, taking sole possession of 15th on the WNBA’s all-time three-pointers made list.
The Sparks have faced their share of ups and downs this season with roster changes, new coaching staff, and injuries, to find themselves, 7-14.
(Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News)
LA has one game left to close this three game homestead, Tuesday against Washington Mystic, before All-Star break. Plum will be Sparks’ sole representative as an All Star reserve.
“I think we’ve gotten better at our spacing. I’m someone that thrives in space. And so just trying to be patient early, give it up, and then, knowing that throughout the game people were hitting shots, and then the lane starts to open up and I’m able to make a wiggle,” Plum said. “So [I] was just trying to be patient and trust that it’s going to come, and then just try to be like an assassin and strike.”
Indianapolis, IN – The Los Angeles Sparks came back late in the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run and 1:43 remaining in the game to collect another road win, 89-87 against the Indiana Fever playing without the face of their franchise, Caitlin Clark, Saturday night at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse.
Sparks found balanced scoring inside the paint and outside the perimeter with four starters hitting double digits fueled from a collective team effort on defense to give head coach Lynne Roberts plenty of positives to leave Indiana headed back to LA.
“Obviously, we felt like we let the New York game kind of get away from us in that third quarter. I think Indiana went on runs tonight and we withstood them, so it’s just growth,” Azurá Stevens said. “I’m proud of the team for not just disintegrating when they went on their run. We just found a way to come back and punch it right back at them and made tough plays at the end.”
Coach Roberts expressed as well what she thought of her team finding away to come from behind and win.
“We were down eight in the fourth quarter, and our players didn’t flinch, and that’s the sign of toughness and playing to win,” coach Roberts said.
Stevens led the Sparks with a double-double, 21 points and 12 rebounds. Plum added 20 points off of shooting 50 percent from deep range and 100 percent from the charity stripe.
The Sparks starters played well together dishing 22 assists and only seven turnovers after dropping two games since defeating Fever almost two weeks ago. The Fever came in with a three game winning streak after taking the Commissioner Cup championship from Minnesota their previous game.
“Coaches emphasized [efficient offense] all year, just shot quality, and I thought tonight we did a really good job moving the ball,” Kelsey Plum added. “It’s super evenly distributed in field goals, which is what we want. We want everyone to be a threat, we want everyone to be firing on all cylinders.”
Neither team was able to dominate or command a huge lead as the game came down to the final minutes. Just in the first quarter there featured five lead changes and six ties.
Indiana led both quarters in the first half, taking a three point advantage into halftime, 45-42.
Fever carried that momentum into the third, going up eight midway thru the quarter. Sparks answered back with Stevens heating up behind the arc and the Sparks nailing all five triples attempted during the period, to take a three point lead, their largest of the game.
“Everyone took turns in picking their spots, and Azurá Stevens hit some big shots,” Plum said. “I think she’s probably one of the most underrated players in our league [and] doesn’t get the attention she deserves. What she’s doing, the way she’s shooting, how efficient she is. Defensively, she’s just a nightmare for people.”
In the second half, it was Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson turn after Stevens and Plum first half performance set the tone for the Sparks. Hamby finished with 18 points and four assists. Jackson added 15 points and a career high 5 assists as her teammates took notice of her putting the team up by one, 88-87 at the end of the game.
“Rickea was really great at the end just coming through with that clutch…,” Stevens said. “I thought she had great looks in the first half they just didn’t fall, so for her to just to stick with it, I think was really good and just a sign of growth.”
Refusing to not let her team lose after Jackson’s “grown woman” move, Stevens snagged a critical rebound, preventing Indiana another opportunity to take the lead after multiple attempts and plays to draw a foul, before being fouled herself with 3.3 seconds remaining in the game.
“Defensively, I thought Azurá made the play of the game, just coming over, getting that stop on Boston,” Plum said.
Stevens went 1 for 2 from the free throw line, keeping a small window frame of hope for the Fever with a chance to advance the ball through a reset timeout, before Aliyah Boston missed at top of the key for the win.
The Sparks return to Los Angeles for a three-game homestand leading into the 2025 WNBA All-Star break. First up is the Minnesota Lynx on July 10 at 12 p.m., followed by the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal delivered one of the biggest shocks in FIFA Club World Cup history, stunning European champion Manchester City 4-3 in extra time Monday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 tournament.
In a dramatic Round of 16 match at Camping World Stadium, Al Hilal scored twice in extra time to eliminate the English powerhouse, which entered the expanded Club World Cup as one of the title favorites. The victory marked the first time a Saudi club has defeated a reigning UEFA Champions League winner in the competition.
Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo netted the decisive goal in the 112th minute, finishing a low cross from the right side after Manchester City failed to clear its lines. The goal capped a wild match that saw seven goals, multiple momentum swings and a raucous crowd split between blue-clad City supporters and a growing contingent of Al Hilal fans.
Photo by John Chapman
“This is a historic night for our club and for Saudi football,” Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said. “We showed courage, belief and discipline against one of the best teams in the world, and my players never stopped fighting.”
Manchester City struck first in the 9th minute when Phil Foden curled a shot into the top corner following a quick exchange with Kevin De Bruyne. Al Hilal responded before halftime through Malcom, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to level the score in the 34th minute.
City regained the lead shortly after the break as Erling Haaland powered in a header from close range, but Al Hilal answered again in the 67th when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic converted from the penalty spot after a foul in the box.
The match appeared to tilt back in City’s favor when substitute Julian Alvarez scored in the 84th minute, giving the Premier League champions a 3-2 advantage. However, Al Hilal forced extra time in stoppage time as Salem Al-Dawsari slipped behind the defense and calmly finished past goalkeeper Ederson.
In extra time, both teams showed signs of fatigue, but Al Hilal seized control. Leonardo put the Saudi side ahead in the 101st minute with a rebound finish before City equalized again through Haaland, who scored his second of the night in the 105th.
The final blow came seven minutes later when Leonardo struck again, silencing City supporters and sending Al Hilal’s bench into celebration.
“It’s football — sometimes it’s cruel,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “We had chances to finish the game, and we didn’t. Credit to Al Hilal, they were brave and very efficient.”
Photo by John Chapman
Manchester City outshot Al Hilal 22-14 and dominated possession, but defensive mistakes and missed opportunities proved costly. The loss ends City’s hopes of adding a Club World Cup title to its recent continental success.
Al Hilal will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup later this week, carrying momentum — and history — forward in a tournament already defined by surprise.
Los Angeles, CA – Angel Reese was in her grocery bag against the LA Sparks Sunday afternoon at Crypto Arena eating up boards and buckets in front of a huge crowd whom many came to salute the retired 2x WNBA champion, Candace Parker, as she we watched two of her former teams battle before the Chicago Sky soared for the win, 92-85.
“Angel Reese is unbelievable on rebounding. And you can talk about it, and you can watch it, and you can drill it. There’s no way to duplicate it, to prepare,” coach Lynne Roberts said. “Her motor is so high, and I have a lot of respect for her as a competitor.”
Both LA Sparks and Chicago Sky share several similarities this season including current records, roster matchups, key players missing due to overseas commitment, and hosting a Candace Parker’s jersey retirement celebration as the Sparks kicked theirs off today with season ticket holders comedian Leslie Jones along with Love & Basketball director, Gina Prince Bythwood in attendance celebrating alongside Parker’s “vet” Hall-of-famer, 4x Olympic Lisa Leslie, whom opened the half time celebration with a personal introduction and praise for her “rookie.”
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
“The bigger victory today is the celebration of her [Candace Parker] and we would’ve of loved to because we wanted to win for her,” Coach Roberts said. “So it’s disappointing, extra disappointing, but I don’t want our play to take away from what an incredible human being and basketball player Candace is and what she has meant to our sport.”
Today’s game fell nothing short of honoring what Parker meant to both teams, this league, and the game of basketball, seeing her legacy in many of the players on each ends of the court playing now, as Sky’s Reese and Sparks’ Dearica Hamby both posted double-doubles in a versatile style seen familiar in Parker’s career.
“[Candace Parker]’s always been a mentor for me in that way. She made being a mom cool, and that it was possible to do both,” Hamby said. “I’m grateful for her and our friendship.”
“For me, [Candace Parker] made it cool, not just to be a mom, but also to be a post player able to shoot the three and bring the ball up,” Emma Cannon added. “She allowed me to broaden my game, and I appreciate her for that.”
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Sparks Azura Steven’s another one of those Parker’s phenotype players, led her team in the first quarter with eight points, three rebounds and two assists throughout five lead changes before closing the quarter with the Sparks’ one point advantage, 18-17.
Sky responded in the second quarter after missing all of their three attempts in the first, found a bank open with back to back triples from starting guard, Rachel Banham, to put her team up, 23-20.
“We’ve got to be tougher — sustained runs, handle adversity, handle performance issues, or bad calls,” coach Roberts said. “In this league, the tougher team wins, and I don’t just mean physically.”
Sparks fought back to remain close in the game with Cannon coming off the bench and knocking down her first three-pointer of the game assisted by Rickea Jackson. Both teams picked up their intensity making the game more physical and dynamic with eight lead changes. Sparks went cold in last two minutes of the 2nd quarter, entering halftime down by six, 40-34.
“I always stay ready so I don’t have to get ready,” Cannon said. “It’s tough, but I feel like every loss is a lesson, and I feel like we’re still building, and we’re gonna get to where we need to be…”
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Sparks returned in the second half on a 24-4 run in the third, shifting the momentum and gaining their largest lead, 60-53. Sparks missed several simple opportunities to score and boost their lead despite scoring their most points in a quarter, 28 to take a one point lead, 62-61.
Kelsey Plum led her team on an off shooting night with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Plum set a career high in free throws made with 12, hitting all of them. Hamby posted her 47th career double, double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Stevens added 17 points for the Sparks plus a career high four assists and six rebounds. Cannon stepped up for her team with a season high 15 points off 6-for-7 shooting.
“I think it’s always physical, and I think both ways it was physical tonight,” Hamby said. Obviously, we’d love to have a win. If I can consistently play like that, I think we’ll be in good shape.”
While Hamby struggled early against Reese’s tenacity, Cannon accepted the hard challenge of containing Reese for the rest of the game which at times her veteran experience appeared to work to her advantage, frustrating the second year All Star forward somewhat enough to pick up a technical foul.
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Reese bounced back from that emotional moment and finished with a dominant 24 points and 16 rebounds, breaking as well as setting multiple records, in particularly one that only two players have achieved which both happen to be in the building the night though retired, Leslie and Parker, respectively.
“I just feel like we have to learn how to finish games, and it’s not necessarily what the other team does, it’s just about us actually digging in and buying in and finishing it,” Sparks Emma Cannon explained. “That’s something that we’re working on. We’ve been playing a great 30 minutes, but we have to put it all together.”
Sparks will have a couple of days to recharge for their next game of the week in New York, on July 3rd to face the defending WNBA champs Liberty and another top power forward in the league, Breanna Stewart, after racing against Reese’s motor.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.— Harry Kane scored twice and Bayern Munich took advantage of an explosive opening to defeat Brazil’s Flamengo 4-2 on Sunday night in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup, advancing to a highly anticipated quarterfinal showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.
Bayern struck twice in the opening nine minutes and withstood sustained pressure from Flamengo before pulling away late at Hard Rock Stadium, where a pro-Flamengo crowd created a charged atmosphere throughout the match. The German champions rebounded from their only loss of the tournament — a group-stage defeat to Benfica — and reasserted their status as one of the favorites in the expanded competition.
Photo by John Chapman
Kane’s brace highlighted Bayern’s clinical finishing, while Manuel Neuer delivered key saves to blunt Flamengo’s comeback attempts. Bayern will face Champions League winner PSG on Saturday in Atlanta after the French club routed Inter Miami 4-0 earlier Sunday.
“It was important for us to respond after the last match,” Kane said. “We started aggressively, took our chances early and showed maturity when Flamengo put us under pressure.”
Bayern wasted little time seizing control. In the sixth minute, Flamengo midfielder Erick Pulgar inadvertently headed Joshua Kimmich’s corner kick into his own net, giving Bayern a quick lead. Three minutes later, Kane doubled the advantage when his right-footed strike from outside the box deflected past goalkeeper Agustín Rossi.
The rapid start stunned Flamengo, but the Brazilian side gradually settled into the match and began creating opportunities. Luiz Araújo nearly pulled one back in the first half with a curling left-footed shot toward the far post, only for Neuer to slide across his goal and parry the effort away in one of the match’s standout saves.
Photo by John Chapman
Flamengo finally broke through in the 33rd minute when Gerson unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from inside the box that beat Neuer, igniting the red-and-black-clad supporters who made up the majority of the crowd.
Any momentum was short-lived. Bayern restored its two-goal cushion in the 41st minute as Leon Goretzka was afforded ample space outside the penalty area and drilled a low shot past Rossi to make it 3-1 at halftime.
Flamengo continued to press after the break, generating chances and testing Bayern’s back line, but struggled to convert. Araújo and Pedro both had looks at goal, yet Bayern’s defense and Neuer repeatedly denied them clear finishes.
Kane put the match out of reach in the 73rd minute, scoring his second goal on a well-weighted pass from Kimmich. Kane calmly struck the ball past Rossi, underscoring Bayern’s efficiency in front of goal.
Flamengo added a late goal to narrow the margin, but never closed to within one score again. Bayern finished with fewer shots but made theirs count, capitalizing on defensive mistakes and moments of hesitation.
“We competed well and created chances, but against a team like Bayern you cannot afford mistakes,” Flamengo coach Tite said. “They punished us early, and that made the difference.”
Bayern’s victory sets up one of the marquee matchups of the tournament against PSG, while Flamengo exits after an energetic performance that ultimately fell short against Europe’s elite.
