Latest from Associated Press
Associated Press
7 minutes ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
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:
Associated Press
21 minutes ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Botafogo stuns Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Club World Cup on Igor Jesus' goal
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Botafogo stunned Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 on Thursday night in each club's second match of the Club World Cup. Igor Jesus scored late in the first half, and the South American champions made it stand up through a tense second half while moving atop the group at 2-0-0. PSG hadn't lost in any competition since May 3, but the European champions looked understandably weary at times before a lively Rose Bowl crowd of 53,699. Jesus' stunning score in the 36th minute was the first goal allowed since May 17 by PSG, which routed Atlético Madrid 4-0 last Sunday in Pasadena. The French powerhouse had outscored its last three opponents by a combined 12-0, winning the French Cup and the Champions League final along the way. Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé missed his second straight game for PSG with a quadriceps injury. His teammates still dominated possession in the first half, even though coach Luis Enrique rotated his starting lineup. Everything came undone with the remarkable individual effort by Jesus, the Brazilian striker reportedly headed for Nottingham Forest next season. PSG finished with 16 shot attempts to Botafogo's four — but all four were on target, whereas PSG only got two on net. Key moment Jesus controlled Jefferson Savarino's long pass, outmaneuvered two defenders and thumped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. He leaped over a barrier and up onto the front row of the Rose Bowl stands to celebrate with Botafogo's ecstatic supporters. Takeaways PSG had little of the sublime connective play that characterized its stellar run over the past month, but Enrique's club is still in strong position to advance as it heads to Seattle on Monday to play Major League Soccer's Sounders. Thousands of boisterous Brazilian fans made the trip to celebrate one of the most remarkable victories in Botafogo's storied history. The club faces Atlético on Monday at the Rose Bowl with a surprising chance to advance from this difficult group. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Pirates reliever Dennis Santana involved in altercation with fan during game with Tigers
DETROIT (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana was involved in an altercation with a fan during the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers and at one point is seen leaping and swiping at the person. In videos posted to social media, Santana can be seen pointing out the fan to a police officer before jumping and swinging at the person who is in the front row above the Pittsburgh bullpen at Comerica Park. The fan appeared to be wearing a Tigers hat and a shirt honoring Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. After jumping at the fan, Santana was escorted away by Pirates bullpen personnel and held back by a teammate. He entered the game in the ninth inning, pitching to one batter before the game was delayed by rain. The Pirates won, 8-4. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Kiner-Falefa has 2-run single in 10th as Pirates beat Tigers 8-4 to earn doubleheader split
DETROIT (AP) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a two-run single in a four-run 10th inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 for a split of a doubleheader Thursday. The Tigers won the first game 9-2 behind four RBIs from Riley Greene. Pinch-hitter Ke'Bryan Hayes led off the 10th with a single to right, scoring pinch-runner Tommy Pham from second. The Tigers challenged the call, and A.J. Hinch was ejected for arguing after the call was upheld. Nick Gonzales singled, and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third. An intentional walk to Jared Triolo loaded the bases, and pinch-hitter Joey Bart had an RBI single to make it 6-4. One out later, Kiner-Falefa hit a single to left to bring home two more runs. A group of fans was ejected during the 10th inning after a verbal confrontation with Pham. Pirates ace Paul Skenes allowed two runs and three hits in six innings, walking five and striking out nine. Gonzales led off the second with a solo homer off Tigers opener Tyler Holton and Triolo's two-run homer made it 3-0. Andrew McCutchen pushed the Pirates' lead to 4-0 with a solo homer off Keider Montero in the third. Gleyber Torres had a two-run double for the Tigers in the fifth, and Colt Keith had a two-run homer off Isaac Mattson in the seventh to tie the score. Key moment Pittsburgh appeared to get an inning-ending double play in the fifth inning when Trey Sweeney was called for interference against Gonzales on a grounder by Keith. The umpires originally signaled that Sweeney and Keith were both out, but changed the ruling to Sweeney being out, Keith being placed on first and Jake Rogers being returned to second. Torres followed with his two-run double. Key stat The game started 30 minutes late, thanks to a 40-minute rain delay in the first game of the doubleheader. Light rain began to fall in the ninth inning of the second game and got heavier in the bottom of the inning, forcing a 75-minute delay with one out. Up next Pirates RHP Mike Burrows (1-1, 4.24 ERA) is scheduled to start against Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (6-2, 2.19) in the opener of a three-game series at home. Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (5-7, 4.03) will face Rays RHP Shane Baz (6-3, 4.54) in the opener of a three-game series at Tampa, Fla. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- General
- Associated Press
Charity distributes soup to thousands of displaced in Gaza's Deir al-Balah
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
