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The Showcase ended in a draw

By
Jennifer Moore
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Photo by John Chapman

ORLANDO, Fla. — Los Angeles FC and CR Flamengo played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday night at Camping World Stadium, a result that kept Group D tightly contested as both clubs scored once in the second half of an evenly matched international showcase.

LAFC opened the scoring after halftime, but Flamengo responded with an equalizer to salvage a point in front of a mixed crowd of Brazilian and Southern California supporters. The draw left both teams level on points in Group D play, with advancement still undecided heading into the final round of matches.

After a scoreless first half marked by cautious buildup and strong defensive organization on both sides, LAFC broke through shortly after the interval. The MLS club capitalized on sustained pressure in the attacking third, turning a quick passing sequence into the game’s first goal to take a 1-0 lead.

Photo by John Chapman

Flamengo, however, gradually wrestled control of possession and tempo, leaning on its midfield to push the match higher up the field. The Brazilian side was rewarded midway through the second half, finding the equalizer off a well-worked attacking move that beat the LAFC back line and goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

“We stayed calm after going down and trusted our style,” Flamengo head coach said through a translator. “The response showed the character of this team, especially playing away from home.”

The remainder of the match saw chances at both ends, with LAFC threatening on the counterattack and Flamengo pressing for a potential winner. Goalkeepers for both sides were called into action late, preserving the draw as fatigue set in under humid Central Florida conditions.

LAFC head coach praised his team’s effort but lamented missed opportunities to close out the match.

“We had moments where we could have put the game away,” he said. “Against a team like Flamengo, you have to be ruthless. Still, the point keeps us in a good position.”

The first half featured few clear chances, as both teams appeared content to probe rather than overcommit. LAFC relied on its pace on the wings, while Flamengo focused on short passing sequences through the middle. Neither side managed a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Photo by John Chapman

In the second half, the match opened up considerably. LAFC’s early goal energized the crowd and forced Flamengo to chase the game, leading to a more entertaining and open stretch of play. Flamengo finished with a slight edge in possession, while LAFC held an advantage in shots.

The neutral-site setting did little to dampen the atmosphere, as fans from both clubs filled sections of Camping World Stadium with chants and flags throughout the night.

With the 1-1 result, Group D remains wide open. Both Los Angeles FC and Flamengo will look to secure qualification in their next matches, knowing that goal difference and head-to-head results could prove decisive in the final standings.

If you want, I can rewrite this with named goal scorers and minute-by-minute details, or tailor it tighter for a newspaper word count.

The Butterfly Effect: The Metamorphosis of Emma Cannon

By
Eric Lambkins II
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Photo by Michael Phan

She was earthbound. She was unseen. She was snack-bound.
 
In the dim, sweat-stained chrysalis of the Flint Street Community Center—a gym smaller than some closets, a nylon net and a beech wooden court whispering survive, survive,
survive—twelve-year-old Emma Cannon cradled a basketball like a strange, leathery fruit. Coach Stortie’s offering felt foreign. A forest of boys’ elbows. A cocoon of taunts, trash talk, and no-mercy drives. “They put that dog in me,” Cannon says now, and you can still hear the growl beneath the grace. Back then? She was a preteen girl folded inward in an unfamiliar place; she had never played basketball. She was a caterpillar in a concrete garden, but Cannon’s roots run deep.
 
Then came the slow dissolve. The metamorphosis.
 
First, the crawling years: Late to the game, late to the dream, late to everything but the truth. Rochester taught her this: Nothing given. Everything earned. Not privilege, but pavement. Not pity, but persistence.
 
Before she passed, Cannon’s mother, Patricia, taught her to dig in.
 
“My rock,” Cannon calls her. ” She showed me what the true meaning of a strong black woman was. She always gave grace, while instilling how to be an amazing human every day.”
 
From her mother, Cannon learned roots in resilience, the quiet certainty that character blooms brightest in hard ground. 
 
She learned to outwork, outlast, out-believe. Going undrafted after stints at Central Florida
University and Southern Florida University, Cannon headed overseas, where her transformation deepened—Germany, Australia, Hungary, Turkey, Israel, Russia, China—each country a leaf, each locker room a lesson in folding, flexing, and fusing.  Adapt. Listen. Bend. Wings began to form strength in silence; they thickened not in the spotlight, but in the shrouded shadows of solitude. Because of her mother, Cannon wanted to give back tenfold.
 

Photo by Michael Phan


“Leadership isn’t about being a dictator. Say what you mean. Mean what you say,” Cannon said. Her career has not been characterized by fanfare or fury. Just the steady pulse of a heart learning to beat for others.
 
Then—the unfurling.
 
Motherhood split her open. “You stop being selfish,” Cannon said. Suddenly, the game wasn’t her only sky; it was part of everything. Losses became lessons in letting go. Teammates became family. Leadership became less about roaring and more about radiating—less command, more compassion. Her voice, once hesitant, now hums—a vibration felt in every huddle, every film session, every flight.
 
“I’m a butterfly. I get along with any and everybody.”
 
And oh, how she floats.
 
In the Sparks’ ecosystem, she’s the pollinator. The connector. The veteran converses with rookies as equals, shares her radiant smile with the equipment manager, and treats the janitor like the CEO because, to her, character is currency. Her leadership? An intricate and illustrious blend of grit and grace, truth and tenderness, accountability and affection. No dictatorship. Only dialogue. No storms. Only stillness.
 
“Love and respect above everything… When it’s time to get serious, they listen,” Cannon said. The hardest truth? She isn’t always the star. Sometimes, she starts. Sometimes, she sits. Always, she serves. Her wings adjust—never break.  Her father, Carl, named her “butterfly” for her social ease, but the name now fits her even more deeply. She emerged from darkness not to dazzle but to nurture.
 
To lift. To linger where growth is needed.
 
Ask Cannon about legacy.
 
“I want to be remembered as a great person who did her job… with a smile,” Cannon said.
 
The imprints of her leadership are felt throughout the Sparks organization.
 
GM Reagan Pebley sees the imprint: “Emma’s our bedrock; our cultural cornerstone. Where box scores lie, heartbeats don’t.”
 
Cannon connects—fierce blooms like Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, to saplings like Rickea Jackson, Sarah Ashlee Barker. She tends them all.
 
No statues. No scoring titles. Just the soft imprint of impact. The faint pollen of wings on those she touched. In her, you see Patricia’s steadiness and Carl’s vision, made manifest.
 
Back in Rochester, the 12-year-old Emma—snacks in hand, dreams not yet born—wouldn’t believe this flight. “Man, I’ve been through a lot,” Cannon recollects, and the weight of that lot hangs in the air like a chrysalis swaying in the wind. But here’s the miracle: From that cramped gym, from those no-mercy practices and games, from every “no” that meant “not yet”… Cannon flew anyway.
 
And now? She soars—not above her teammates, but beside them. Not with the screech of a hawk, but with the quiet purpose of a butterfly: delicate in approach, unshakeable in purpose, leaving everything she touches richer.

 Lighter.
 
Brighter.
 
Kinder.
 
Just as Patricia dreamed. Just as Carl named.

Benfica shuts out Auckland for the win

By
Jennifer Moore
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Photo by John Chapman

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Ángel Di María and Leandro Barreiro scored two goals apiece as Benfica overwhelmed Auckland City 6-0 on Friday in a FIFA Club World Cup Group C match that was delayed for more than two hours at halftime because of thunder and lightning.

Benfica’s victory, sealed by three second-half goals after the lengthy weather delay, strengthened the Portuguese club’s position in the group and underscored the gap in quality between the European powerhouse and the semi-professional champions from New Zealand. Di María scored twice from the penalty spot, once deep into first-half stoppage time and again in added time at the end of the match, while Barreiro struck twice during a dominant second-half stretch.

“It was not an easy night because of the interruption, but the team stayed focused,” Di María said. “We respected the opponent and kept playing our football until the end.”

Photo by John Chapman

The match was played under sweltering conditions before a thunderstorm forced players off the field at halftime, delaying the start of the second half by more than two hours. When play finally resumed, Benfica wasted little time turning a narrow lead into a rout.

Benfica controlled possession and tempo from the opening kickoff, though Auckland City showed brief signs of resistance in the first half by exchanging counterattacks with the Portuguese side. Despite that effort, Auckland City managed just one shot in the opening half while Benfica fired 18, repeatedly testing the defense and goalkeeper Conor Tracey.

The breakthrough finally came in stoppage time before halftime. Di María calmly converted a penalty after a foul in the box, sending Tracey the wrong way to give Benfica a 1-0 lead just before the weather delay.

Any hope Auckland City had of regrouping during the extended break quickly faded once the second half began. In the 53rd minute, Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the lead with a composed finish from inside the penalty area following a swift buildup. Renato Sanches added a third moments later, striking from distance to put the match firmly out of reach.

Barreiro then took over, scoring in the 63rd and 76th minutes as Benfica continued to carve through Auckland City’s defense. His first came on a low finish after a cutback from the right, and his second was a close-range effort that made it 5-0.

Photo by John Chapman

Di María completed the scoring in stoppage time, once again converting from the penalty spot to cap a commanding performance and Benfica’s largest margin of victory in the tournament.

“The delay could have changed the rhythm, but we handled it professionally,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said. “In the second half we were much sharper and showed our quality.”

Auckland City, making another appearance on the global stage as Oceania’s representative, struggled to cope with Benfica’s pace and precision, particularly after the break. While the New Zealand side fought to stay organized defensively, mistakes and fatigue eventually took their toll.

The result leaves Auckland City facing a difficult path in Group C, while Benfica moved closer to securing advancement to the knockout stage. With experienced players like Di María leading the way and depth throughout the squad, Benfica signaled its intent to contend deep into the Club World Cup as the tournament continues.

Dodgers Owner Buys Los Angeles Lakers For $10 Billion

By
Christopher Floch
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Los Angeles, CA – Once upon a time in 1979 a business man named Jerry Buss purchased the, ” Fabulous” Forum,” the Kings hockey team and the Lakers. He paid what was then then a staggering sum of $67.5 million dollars.

The NBA was struggling with low television ratings and many people questioned the move. Now forty six years later the investment has paid off handsomely. Mark Walter has purchased the Los Angeles Lakers for an astonishing $10 billion dollars. The owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers now has two of the most coveted sports franchises in the history of professional sports.

Thus it is certainly the end of an era. The magic that the Buss family brought to the Lakers franchise cannot be understated. With Jack Kent Cooke the Lakers were pretty good. When the Buss family came in and took over the reins of the team you now had something that was legendary.

Jerry West- Wilt Chamberlain- Kareem Abdul Janbar- Norm Nixon- Earvin “Magic” Johnson- Pat Riley- James Worthy-Kobe Bryant- Phil Jackson Shaquille O’Neal-Derrick Fisher-Pau Gasol-Lebron James- Anthony Davis- Luka Doncic.

Jerry West’s half court shot at the buzzer.. Kobe to Shaq alley oop against Portland.

Robert Horry last second three pointer against Sacramento that sent the Staples Center crowd into an unmatched frenzy.

And Ron Artest hitting the three against the hated Celtics in game 7 of the finals. After a rare pass from Kobe Bryant, Artest exclaiming with sheer joy, ” he passed me the ball!”

Memories to last a lifetime.

His daughter, Jeanie Buss, took over as principal owner after Jerry died in 2013, making her one of the most powerful women in sports.Jeanie Buss will stay on as governor after the sale.

Her tenure as principal owner helped usher stability, and restored pride in the Purple and Gold.

Magic Johnson, five time Laker champ and minority Dodgers owner knew Walter and Buss shared the same vision for the Lakers. That vision means winning.

“Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand,” Johnson posted on X.

“The proof is in the pudding on what he’s been able to accomplish with the LA Dodgers. Mark has been nothing short of a winner notching 2 World Series and 11 NL West divisional titles in the last 12 years!”

Seattle reigns over the Sparks

By
Jevone Moore
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Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Los Angeles, CA – The Seattle Storm started the game showing that this was a business trip defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 98-67.

The Sparks did have a bright spot with second year player Rickea Jackson taking charge on offense 17 points along with 8/8 from the free throw line. Driving to the basket and making the defense collapse on her.

“We miss her (KP), Odyssey and Allemand, all our three guards.”, said Lynn Roberts Sparks coach, “The point guard spot is so big.”

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Nneka Ogwumike came back to Crypto.com Arena showing why she still is walking bucket with 26 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Storm.

With three minutes left in the game the Sparks substituted their starters out the game accepting the defeat.   

Jackson did get little support tonight from Azura Stevens who scored 16 points & 10 rebounds for another double-double.

“We have enough here to get it done,” said Stevens, “I have to start focusing on my defense first.”

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

The Seattle bench was a strong force for this 31-point victory.  Alysha Clark dropped 14 points from the bench.

The offense kept the ball moving for Seattle all night with 29 assists as a team. This allowed their front court to score 15 points apiece from Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler.

Roberts in the postgame press conference pointed out that there were points in this game that they were playing three hardship players at the same time. She didn’t want it to be an excuse just their current reality.

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

“I’m more concerned about our defense.” said Roberts.

Games like this should do one or two things push them to excel or drive them to give up. From listening to the coach and seeing the energy on the court late in the game this team is going to continue to fight.  

The Sparks will have few days to practice and regroup before traveling to Minnesota to face the Lynx at 5pm on NBA TV.

Sparks deal Aces high scoring home loss led by Rickea Jackson going deep in her bag

By
Charle' Moore
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Jackson

Las Vegas, NV – Los Angeles Sparks Rickea Jackson came out hot in Las Vegas sweltering 110 degrees weather at the Michelob Ultra Arena, Wednesday night, hitting a total of four threes, all in the first quarter, and finishing with 30 points to lead the Sparks, 97-89, over Aces.

Jackson scored 14 points in the first quarter onto a career high on efficient shooting, going 11-17 from the field goal, 4-8 from behind the arc, and 4-5 from charity strip.

“Rickea [Jackson] hit a couple threes that made everybody feel really confident and that set the tone,” coach Lynne Roberts said. “Her confidence and aggressiveness, I think that everyone fed off of it…”

Following Jackson’s display of versatility for a dominant performance, her teammates backed her up with four of the five starters posting double digits, while the team overall shot 50 percent including an impressive 85 percent from deep and 78 percent from the field for that 29-point first quarter scoring buffet of three pointers, fast break points along with a plethora of shots made off Sparks’ assists.  

“Everybody played loose and aggressive, and the plan was to really move the ball,” coach Roberts explained. “[Kelsey Plum] did a good job of that, finding other people.” 

Sparks defensive effort came also with early high intensity effort against Aces superstar Aja Wilson, who scored the first point of the game for the Aces, hitting one of two free throws but struggled most of the game to find her footing before abruptly leaving in the third quarter with a head injury. 

Sparks used their versatility and positionless offensive style to their advantage in this game matchup, getting more of their team involved early in the game, beyond their usual top two scorers, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby. 

On the other end, it appeared the Aces dared Jackson to shoot early in the game as she quickly embraced the challenge warming up with three consecutive triples to give her team a 11-9 advantage. 

Odyssey Sims and Plum dished to their front court a lot more instead of looking to shoot first and rewarded them with giving the ball in opportune scoring positions that kept the Aces on the back of their heels. Hamby, Jackson and Azurá Stevens all got transition layups in the open court after hustling up the floor, surpassing Aces’ front court defenders. 

Despite early foul trouble for Stevens, she bounced back in the second half finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Her frontcourt duo partner, Hamby, finished with 19 points too along with eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. 

“Dearica [Hamby] again almost with a triple double, seven assists, I don’t know many centers in this league getting those kinds of numbers,” coach Roberts said. 

Aces were led early by their starting guards Chelsea Gray and Jewel Lloyd, who came in shooting a career low 20 percent as Aces looked early to get her rolling though Jackie Young would soon have to take over this responsibility to keep her Aces in the game. Young finished with a game high 34 points off 50 percent shooting from the field.  

Young also guarded her former teammate, Plum, most of the game, keeping her second return to her former team’s arena relatively uneventful as Plum finished with only 14 points but shelled out nine assists and went nine from nine at the free throw line.  

“After each game, win or lose, we just continue to build and we were just focused on making the right plays,” Hamby said reiterating Jackson’s statement. “We have a very, very talented roster and so, if we continue to make the right plays, we’ll make the right shots.”

LA (4-7) will continue on the road able to take this win as a much-needed confidence booster into a tough, undefeated Minnesota on Saturday.  

Kelsey Plum’s postgame plea for calls downplays assists record in Sparks OT loss to Valkyries

By
Charle' Moore
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Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Los Angeles, CA – Kelsey Plum and Los Angeles Sparks suffered their second home loss to Golden State Valkyries, 89-81, at Crypto Arena, Monday night in Los Angeles after missing an opportunity in the paint to win in regulation that instead led into a barren offense during overtime followed by frustration with officiating.

Downtown LA or LA Live, had two star-filled events scheduled around the same time across from each other as the BET awards opened their main show at the Peacock Theater while during the Sparks tip off against the Valkryies for an electrifying matchup that quickly turned into an early deficit for LA when Golden State’s Janelle Salaun made two of her 21 points to lead her team against Plum, whom led all scorers with 24 points in 41 minutes.

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Plum had a visibly tough night with a couple of scars to show for on her face and body, which she wanted to discuss during the press conference rather than respond to a question about her team’s lack of execution, particularly limited offensive production in overtime.

“I’m going to get fined for saying this,” Plum continued. “But I drive like more than anyone in the league, so to shoot six free throws is [expletive] absurd. And I get scratched on my face, scratched on my body, while these guards on the other team get these ticky-tack fouls.”

Both teams drew around 25 fouls for the game and shot around 25 free throws, balancing the calls by the officials.

Sparks gained their first lead of the game off a pair of free throws made by Emma Cannon with less than a minute remaining in the first quarter.

The Valkryies responded swiftly with their bench play scoring back-to-back buckets from Monique Billings to take the lead, 25-23, entering into second quarter.

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Golden State continued on a tear until a full timeout by the Sparks midway through the second quarter helped slow the Valkryies momentum and shift to the Sparks after a nifty fadeaway 15-footer from Rickea Jackson off an offensive rebound, to bring the Sparks within four, 31-35.

This led into a Sparks run to close the half, while taking the lead up to four, 44-40, behind a Dearica Hamby’s layup with an assist from Azurá Stevens.

Hamby and Plum accounted for 29 of Sparks 44 points in the half, as they continue to combine for the highest scoring duo in the league. Hamby finished with a near double-double, 20 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Plum recorded her 1,000 career assists, dishing out seven in the game counterproductive to another off-shooting night as she eventually fouling out of the contest.

Opening the second half both teams seem to settle into their game plan and turn up their competitiveness on both sides of the floor to keep the scores within range, letting neither team break free from more than a two-possession lead.

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

For LA, more ball movement and contribution from others outside of Plum and Hamby as Julie Allemand came in the third with high energy to give her team the lead with a triple, 65-63.

Golden State answered, tying the score at 65 with two free throws from Veronica Burton.

The Valkryies whom look now to have found their stride this season as a first-year expansion team presented a well-balanced offensive attack by some well-oiled coaching with five players scoring in double figures, including two off the bench. However, LA’s defense held Valkryies’ Burton to nine points, whose previous scoring outputs were in double digits. Valkyries’ center Temi Fagbenle finished with a double-double, 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Kayla Thornton, whom struggled off and on through the game, but kept being aggressive on both ends, nailed a 25-foot jumper with less than 40 seconds in the game to stamp her team as the winners, thrashing the Sparks final hope of a comeback.

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Los Angeles succumbed to their fourth loss, dropping to 3-7, now with a short turnaround to face Las Vegas Aces (4-3) Wednesday in Las Vegas whom also just loss to Golden State (4-5).

Valkyries Torch Aces 95-68

By
Trisha Victorio
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Photo by Trisha Victorio / fi360 News

San Francisco, CA – The Golden State Valkyries broke a four-game losing streak with a dominant 95-68 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday at Chase Center, fueled by a +40 plus-minus performance from guard Veronica Burton and a smothering defensive effort against A’ja Wilson.

Valkyries Torch Aces 95-68 as coach Nakase faces former mentor Becky Hammon in emotional win in front of sold-out crowd at Ballhalla.

Photo by Trisha Victorio / fi360 News

Burton posted a career-high 12 assists along with 14 points and seven rebounds, orchestrating Golden State best game of the season.

Kayla Thornton led all scorers with 22 points and added 11 boards, while Monique Billings also notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Cecilia Zandalasini scored a career-high 18, and rookie Kate Martin added 12, including a buzzer-beating three to end the first half.

The Valkyries never trailed, hitting a franchise-best 95 points. Martin’s deep three gave Golden State a commanding 49-28 halftime lead that Las Vegas never challenged.

Aces star A’ja Wilson still finished with 17 points, but head coach Natalie Nakase said the game plan was clear: “We just wanted to show her multiple bodies as much as we could. She’s the best player in the world.”

Photo by Trisha Victorio / fi360 News

Nakase, a former Aces assistant, faced her former boss, Becky Hammon, for the first time and credited Hammon with preparing her for a head coaching role. “I literally said, ‘I learned everything from you,’” Nakase shared postgame.

The Valkyries head south to face the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday June 9th. With their momentum restored, Golden State looks to break their 1-1 series tie with L.A. and continue building toward playoff contention.

Photo by Trisha Victorio / fi360 News

LA Metro Joins LASEC As Official Public Transit Provider For The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City

By
Press Release
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Metro

LA METRO JOINS THE LOS ANGELES SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION AS THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC TRANSIT PROVIDER FOR

THE LOS ANGELES WORLD CUP 2026 HOST CITY

Metro Partnership to Enhance Fan Experience, Provide Affordable, Stress-free, and Low-impact Transportation Options

LOS ANGELES (June 6, 2025) – The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) is proud to announce that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is now a Host City Supporter and the Official Public Transit Provider for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City as the region prepares to welcome eight matches for the FIFA World Cup 26™.

“Metro’s partnership with the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission marks a major step forward in how we welcome the world to Los Angeles. As the Official Public Transit Provider for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City, Metro will help ensure that fans can get to these unforgettable events safely, sustainably, and seamlessly,” said Janice Hahn, Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor.

This partnership underscores Metro’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and fan-firstexperiences—setting the stage for a seamless journey to the heart of the action across the region. As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world, Metro’s extensive network of buses and trains will play a pivotal role in connecting fans, both local and from around the globe, to the games, official fan zones, hotels, and cultural landmarks. By providing reliable public transit services, Metro aims to reduce traffic congestion, minimize environmental impact, and ensure a seamless experience for local and international visitors.

“Metro is delighted to be teaming up with Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission as the Official Public Transit Provider for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “We are committed to leveling up our public transit system in the next few years – not just for these big events, but for all Angelenos to use and enjoy for decades to come. We look forward to working with LASEC to support our region and all the people who call LA County home.”

To ensure fans have a seamless experience for all these events, Metro will launch a dynamic public awareness campaign to educate the public and promote using public transportation to experience LA with ease. This milestone partnership is part of Metro’s larger transit-first vision as Los Angeles gears up for a once-in-a-generation convergence of sports and entertainment, culminating in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We’re thrilled to have Metro on board as a Host City Supporter for what promises to be an extraordinary decade of major events right here in Los Angeles,” said Kathryn Schloessman, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host City Manager. “Metro’s dedication to sustainability and smart, efficient transportation is a natural fit with our mission to create positive, memorable experiences for fans. Their support will help us move people effortlessly throughout the region, ensuring that both local communities and visitors from around the globe enjoy everything LA has to offer during this exciting stretch of major events.”

For more information about Metro’s services and LASEC’s initiatives around the upcoming major events, please visit LASEC.net, losangelesfwc26.com and metro.net.

###

About the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission

The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) is a non-profit organization officially designated to attract, secure and support high-profile sports and entertainment events in Los Angeles and serves as the lead for the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 and Super Bowl LXI Host Committees. LASEC connects local businesses and communities with these major events to create lasting economic, cultural, and social impact for the region. For more information, visit: LASEC.net

About the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee

The Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee was established to deliver a premier FIFA World Cup 26™ experience and drive lasting social, cultural, and economic impact for the region. We serve as the liaison between FIFA and the Los Angeles region to harness opportunities surrounding the tournament to elevate our community. The Host Committee is co-chaired by LAFC Co-President Larry Freedman and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Chris Klein, led by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC), and includes the Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), and LA Galaxy. For more information, visit losangelesfwc26.com.

About Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries a million boardings daily on six electric rail lines and 118 bus routes utilizing more than 2,200 low-emission buses.

Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net,    
facebook.com/losangelesmetro, x.com/metrolosangeles and x.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.

Sparks regroup to rollover the Wings on the road, 93-79 

By
Charle' Moore
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Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

Dallas, Tx, The Los Angeles Sparks cooked the Dallas Wings in their arena 93-79 on Friday night to snap a three-game losing skid led by Azurá Stevens’ 21 points, whom came undone with a career-high five threes, and Dearica Hamby serving across the paint for 20 points, following a three day practice break in between games. 

“We were intentional with rest and giving high-minute players, less reps in practice, or just a little time off,” Coach Lynne Roberts said. “but it was a good reset and it was a good reset for me. To be able to hone in on what we were running that was working and what wasn’t, now, I feel like I understand these players a lot better…[to] play to their strengths.”

This was the first time of the season, LA shot as a team over 50 percent for a game while their starting front court, Stevens and Hamby delivered over 20 points for the fourth time. 

“I’ve been playing with [Dearica Hamby] now [for] my third year, and I think we complement each other really well,” Stevens explained. “We have similar skill sets, we’re both really active defensively and offensively, and it’s been great playing with her.”

Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News

In addition, Odyssey Sims, who appeared full of excitement to return and play in Dallas against her former team after posting 32 points in their previous game against Phoenix, dropped 19 points including multiple “and 1s” plus three triples.  

“It’s always good to come home. I feel like the fans, they love me like I never left. But I will say I’m happy where I am,” Sims explained. I think I’m here for a reason. I finally found a home. I love my teammates, no shade to Dallas at all.… I love this coaching staff.”

LA held a 45-40 lead at halftime after Sims completed her first three-point play to close out the first half with less than 3 seconds remaining. Sims scored nine points at halftime, Stevens, 13 and Hamby added 11. 

The Sparks opened the third quarter on a 11-0 run and repeated another strong start in the fourth with a 9-0 run taking a 76-55 advantage. 

“They’re adapting well. It takes time, but I think we can look back at a couple of our really close losses and not really blame our offense,“ coach Roberts said pregame press conference. “We’ve got to get stops. So right now, I’m looking for us to just lock in a little bit with a little more urgency defensively…If you look at a couple weeks ago to now, everything’s clicking better. People are figuring out their roles, where their shots come from, and how they can help add to winning, but now we need everybody to add to winning on the defensive side.”

The Sparks locked in their defense, seemingly listening to their coach’s pregame, especially in the third quarter when they limited the Wings to only 15 points. 

Dallas played without their two primary offense facilitators, including top draft pick, Paige Bueckers, while committing three turnovers and having no answers for the Sparks opening run in the fourth.

Coach Roberts shared how her team won every quarter this game as Kelsey Plum facilitated more for her teammates on tonight, including a highlight dish to Stevens to make her career high 3-pointer on a wide-open shot from the corner off her nice drive. 

Plum added 11 points, five rebounds and nine assists still short thus far of reaching her goal for double digits in assists 

and Rickea Jackson return to scoring double figures, raking in 10 for her first game back since missing their last game due to personal reasons.

“Rickea [Jackson] looks great. She’s had three really, really good days of practice, so she’s back in the starting lineup, which is awesome,” coach Roberts said during pregame press conference. “We’re a better team with her present.”

For Dallas, DiJonai Carrington led all scorers with 16 points. JJ Quinerly had a career-high 14, Luisa Geiselsoder had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double. Kaila Charles added 10 points.

Dallas (1-8) has allowed 90-plus points three times during its four-game losing streak. LA (3-6) recorded a season-high with 93 points and led by as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter. 

The Sparks return home to play the Golden State Valkyries for the fourth time this season after an upsetting loss at home on Monday, June 9, 7pm.

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