Latest news with #TheAthletic
The Hill
26 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hill
WATCH: The Oval Office Moment With TRUMP A Soccer Star Called 'A Bit WEIRD'
International soccer stars on the Italian club Juventus found themselves in an unusual position Wednesday – standing behind President Trump at the resolute desk as he fielded questions about the Israel-Iran war and other hot-button issues. The club, one of the most renowned in world soccer, was in Washington, D.C., to play later that night in the first ever Club World Club. But the players were not expecting to stand by as Trump discussed politics using them as a backdrop. 'It was all a surprise to me, honestly — they told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go,' said Timothy Weah, a Juventus player who is also well-known as a mainstay on the U.S. men's national team. Weah, interviewed by The Athletic on video after the club's game Wednesday, expressed surprise and some discomfort with the Trump event. 'I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like, I just want to play football, man.' READ MORE:
USA Today
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Rockets, Ime Udoka to retain all assistant coaches for next season
The plan is for assistant coaches Ben Sullivan, Royal Ivey, Garrett Jackson, Cam Hodges, Mike Moser, and Will Dunn to all return to the Rockets next season, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. With a 52-30 record and the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings, the young and improving Houston Rockets exceeded most reasonable expectations in the NBA's 2024-25 season. One year earlier, the Rockets were 41-41 and No. 11 in the West. That type of annual growth helped head coach Ime Udoka finish third in Coach of the Year voting, and it recently led to the 47-year-old getting a contract extension with the franchise. Based on that success, other teams around the league would undoubtedly love to have portions of Houston's braintrust. Assistant coach Royal Ivey, for example, was pursued by multiple NBA teams this offseason. But it appears Ivey is staying put, and so, too, is the rest of Udoka's staff. The Athletic's Kelly Iko writes: Besides Udoka, a number of his assistants attracted interest around the league for various positions, but Houston is expected to head into the 2025-26 season with the same staff, team sources say. As currently constructed, Udoka's staff of coaching assistants includes Ben Sullivan, Ivey, Garrett Jackson, Cam Hodges, Mike Moser, and Will Dunn. Willie Cruz is director of athletic performance, while Jason Biles is Houston's head athletic trainer and director of athlete care and science. Many of those staff members will work with players in the offseason, in an effort to hit the ground running when training camp opens in late September or early October. Entering Udoka's third season, it appears continuity and internal growth will again be a theme for Udoka's young squad — and that extends to the coaches leading them, as well. All were hired by Udoka in the 2023 offseason, with many having had past experience working alongside Udoka during either his head-coaching stint in Boston (2021-22) or at one of his previous assistant jobs. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta rewarded Udoka with both an extension and a raise for his exemplary work. While assistant salaries are typically not disclosed, it shouldn't come as a surprise if many receive similar treatment, based on the undeniable success of their tenure to date. Prior to the arrival of Udoka and his staff in April 2023, the Stephen Silas-led Rockets had combined to win 59 games in the previous three seasons, which all featured last-place finishes in the West. In the past two seasons, they've won 93 games, with player development and elite defense among the clear points of emphasis and growth. More: Despite external coaching inquiries, Royal Ivey likely to stay with Rockets, Ime Udoka
New York Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Flamengo vs Chelsea live updates: Club World Cup 2025 predictions, team news, latest score
The Club World Cup 2025 continues today, and there are a fine selection of matches on show from the United States. First up, it's Benfica vs Auckland City, also covered live on The Athletic , before we get into Flamengo vs Chelsea, covered right here. Both sides are in a fine position in Group D after winning their tournament opener, so which team will take a massive step towards the knockout stages today? Let's find out. Follow along for all the build-up, team news, quotes, stats, and analysis from our team of reporters and analysts on the ground.
The Hill
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Juventus player: Oval Office moment with Trump ‘a bit weird'
International soccer stars on the Italian club Juventus found themselves in an unusual position on Wednesday – standing behind President Trump at the resolute desk as he fielded questions about the Israel-Iran war and other hot button issues. The club, one of the most renowned in world soccer, was in Washington, D.C., to play later that night in the first ever Club World Club. But the players were not expecting to stand by as Trump discussed politics using them as a backdrop. 'It was all a surprise to me, honestly — they told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go,' said Timothy Weah, a Juventus player who is also well-known as a mainstay on the U.S. men's national team. The Club World Cup is a bit of a preview of next year's World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Weah, interviewed by The Athletic on video after the club's game on Wednesday, expressed surprise and some discomfort with the Trump event. 'I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it's kind of like, I just want to play football man.' Trump frequently hosts sporting teams at the White House, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, who made a visit after their Super Bowl win earlier this year. And the president often gets asked about domestic and world events if he takes questions from reporters invited to attend. Having a team from Italy behind Trump might have been a first. Juventus's roster includes players from a number of countries, and those attending Wednesday's event along with Weah included one of the best known U.S. players in Weston McKennie, as well as Dusan Vlahovic of Serbia, Federico Gati of Italy and Teun Koopmeiners of the Netherlands. It's unclear if Trump, who has a heavy background and interest in American football and once owned a team in the USFL, has a keen interest in soccer. At one point he asked the Juventus players if a woman could make their team. When none of the players answered, he asked the team's general manager, who noted that Juventus has a strong women's team. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose organization puts on the Club World Cup and the World Cup, was also at the White House on Wednesday – and not for the first time. Infantino has discussed both major tournaments with Trump, sometimes on-camera. The Club World Cup trophy is also spending time in the Oval Office. It could be seen there Tuesday not far from the resolute desk. Trump wished the American players luck during the visit, saying he hoped 'you're going to be the best two players on the field.'
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Transfers that shook the world: A new podcast series from The Athletic FC
What's the transfer that stung you the most? Every football fan will remember a moment in their lives when they've been let down, betrayed, scorned — pick your appropriate adjective accordingly — by a player who turned their backs on their clubs in favour of a controversial new challenge elsewhere. Advertisement Across a six-part series on The Athletic FC Podcast, we'll recall six deals that truly shook the entire industry — and explain how they happened. We'll take you on a trip back in time, providing insider perspectives and fierce debate from expert reporters from The Athletic, including David Ornstein's memories of breaking the news when the stories were developing. You'll hear about the secret deals that saw furious fans burning shirts of their heroes who turned into villains overnight. Starting today with Fernando Torres' blockbuster switch from Liverpool to Chelsea in January 2011, a fresh episode will be released every Friday over the next six weeks. Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts, including on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and The Athletic app. (Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
