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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
South Korea lifts 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in the K League
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers in South Korea's top soccer league has been lifted for the start of the 2026 season. Only Korean goalkeepers have been allowed to play in the K League, the oldest professional domestic league in Asia, since 1999. The rule was introduced in a bid to protect homegrown talent when there were only 10 professional clubs. The K League announced after a board meeting in Seoul this week that because there's now 26 professional clubs in the top two tiers of competition, there's enough room for international goalkeepers. 'The increase in the number of clubs means that there are enough opportunities for domestic goalkeepers to play even if foreign goalkeepers are allowed,' the board said in a statement. 'We considered the fact that with foreign player registrations restricted, the salary increase rate of domestic goalkeepers has increased disproportionately to outfield players.' There were reportedly concerns, due to the increased size of modern rosters which contain three or four goalkeepers, that there's a shortage of quality keepers in the country. The move will put the K League in line with other major Asian leagues in Japan, Saudi Arabia and China. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP soccer:
Hamilton Spectator
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
US advances in CONCACAF Gold Cup but still a work in progress and inconsistent under Pochettino
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The United States is moving to the knockout rounds at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, like it always does. Yet two wins in two matches have been far from consistent and still raise questions about the young squad coach Mauricio Pochettino is guiding into the quarterfinals. The Americans advanced out of Group D with a match still to play with Thursday night's 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia thanks to defender Chris Richards' left-footed goal off a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter. 'We need to be calm,' Pochettino said. 'This is the second victory in a row in the competition. We still need to be improve. The competition is going to be tougher.' Richards' goal was the lone moment of finesse from a U.S. attack that scored five goals against Trinidad and Tobago, and then looked mostly stagnant and stifled by Saudi Arabia on a steamy night in Texas. There were a couple of glaring defensive lapses, as well. Richards had to track back to save the U.S. from an early deficit when a mistake by Alex Freeman nearly surrendered a goal in the first half. The Americans' two wins in the tournament so far have come against a Trinidad and Tobago team ranked No. 100 in the world, and No. 58 Saudi Arabia. They will end Group D play Sunday against No. 83 Haiti in Arlington, Texas. Pochettino dismissed the low ranking for Saudi Arabia, noting its first-round victory over eventual champion Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. 'It wasn't an easy game. They are very competitive,' Pochettino said. 'They have quality.' The U.S. will have to navigate a tournament that will only get tougher with a roster Pochettino stitched together with many of the usual stars and starters sitting out for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic , Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest . And forward Haji Wright did not suit up for the match against Saudi Arabia because team officials said he has an 'issue' with his left Achilles tendon. The team did not elaborate. Richards, who scored his second career goal for the Americans, said he sees a roster that is growing as it navigates the Gold Cup in its last competitive matches before the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada. 'We're on to the next round. More than anything, we sent a statement to the rest of CONCACAF we're not taking anyone lightly,' Richards said. 'The Gold Cup is a lot longer than anything we've played in so far, but CONCACAF teams might not have as much quality, but they definitely have fight.' ___ AP soccer:
Hamilton Spectator
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Richards' 2nd-half goal lifts US over Saudi Arabia 1-0 and into CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Defender Chris Richards scored with a flick of the ball off a second-half free kick to lift the United States to a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, sending the Americans on to the CONCACAF Gold Cuo quarterfinals. Richards tracked the ball as it flew into the box on a curving free kick from Sebastian Berhalter in the 62nd minute to tap the ball with his left foot past Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aquidi. The win and the 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in Group D's other match Thursday in Houston, clinched a knockout berth for the Americans, who improved to 42 wins, one loss and five draws in group play. The U.S. has won its group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, and closes Group D play on Sunday against Haiti at Arlington, Texas. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino stuck with the same lineup that produced a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, the first time he made no changes in consecutive matches since taking over the program last October. But playing against No. 58 Saudi Arabia, the 16th-ranked Americans showed little of the attack firepower they displayed against the No. 100 Soca Warriors. The match saw few real chances on goal by either team. The Americans had just one shot in the first half. Richards' speed to track back to cover for Alex Freeman's mistake and block a shot kept Saudi Arabia from a 1-0 lead. Matt Freese got his second consecutive start in goal for the U.S. and third in four matches as he appears to have displaced Matt Turner. The Gold Cup represents the last competitive test for the Americans ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As co-host with Mexico and Canada, the U.S. is an automatic qualifier for the World Cup. The Americans limped into the Gold Cup on a four-match losing streak that included a 4-0 rout by Switzerland in their final tune-up. And with many of the top players either sitting out this tournament for personal reasons, injuries or playing in the Club World Cup, Pochettino selected a roster full of relatively untested and unproven players. Missing the tournament for the U.S. are regulars Christian Pulisic , Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest , ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gonzalez and Kjeldsen share the lead at Firestone in senior tour major
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina each shot 3-under 67 on Firestone South to share the lead Thursday after the opening round of the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions. Gonzalez opened with eight pars, took bogey on No. 18 and then played the front nine with five birdies to offset one bogey Stewart Cink, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Tiger Woods at Firestone in 2006 at a World Golf Championship, was poised to take the lead until two bogeys on his final three holes. He was at 68 along with Retief Goosen and Steven Alker. Angel Cabrera, who already has captured two majors at the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional, opened with a 71. The winner of the tournaments earns a spot in The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass next month. Firestone South previously hosted the World Series of Golf and then a World Golf Championship. It's a strong test for players who next go to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado. ___ AP golf:
Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Adrien Dumont de Chassart shoots 59 in Wichita Open for 14th sub-60 round in Korn Ferry Tour history
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Adrien Dumont de Chassart of Belgium shot an 11-under 59 on Thursday in the Wichita Open for the 14 sub-60 round in Korn Ferry Tour history. Dumont de Chassart had 12 birdies and a bogey in the morning round at storm-damaged Crestview Country Club, with players allowed to lift, clean and place their golf balls in the fairways because of wet conditions. 'Honestly, with all the rain and storms that they got, I thought the course was in really good shape,' Dumont de Chassart said. 'Greens were rolling nice. You still got some bounces on the green, which is pretty impressive with all the rain they got. It was ideal, right, 80 degrees, about to be 95 the next two days. Probably blowing about 10 miles per hour max. It was a good day to shoot 59 that's for sure.' The 25-year-old former Illinois player broke the course record of 60 set by Justin Suh in the 2022 final round and matched by Alejandro Tosti in the 2023 final round. Cristobal del Solar set the Korn Ferry Tour record last year with a 13-under 57 in the Astara Golf Championship. Frankie Capan III and Stephan Jaeger have shot 58 on the tour. Dumont de Chassart began play on No. 10, and birdied the first three holes. He birdied No. 14, bogeyed the 15th and birdied Nos. 16 and 17 to get to 5 under. On the front nine, he birdied the first five holes and hit a 6-iron close on the eighth for his final birdie. 'Played really well down the stretch,' Dumont de Chassart said. 'Missed a shorty on 7, but that's what's cool about golf, you feel nervous even on 4-footers, right? So I'm glad I bounced back and hit a really, really good 6-iron on 17, hole 8, to set up an easy birdie.' ___ AP golf:
