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BUFFALO, N.Y. — With most of Yukon watching and a loud presence of Maple Leafs fans in the stands, Toronto selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the NHL draft on Friday night.

The 18-year-old McKenna is from Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse and has been a prolific scorer on both sides of the border, with his selection validating the projections of the left winger being his age group’s top prospect more than two years ago.

McKenna’s selection was announced by longtime Leafs fan and Canadian-born international pop icon Justin Bieber.

“I got no words right now,” McKenna said. “This is nuts. Obviously I want to start by thanking my family. I love you guys. I wouldn’t be here without you guys.”

As in 2016, there was a large contingent of blue and white jersey-wearing Leafs fans, with a “Go Leafs, go!” chant erupting once Toronto was placed on the clock. Saying “the child in me is ecstatic,” Bieber joined NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on stage and, after a short pause, looked over to McKenna and declared him being a member of the Maple Leafs.

Bieber teed up a video welcome message from Leafs captain Auston Matthews, who was their No. 1 pick a decade ago, when the draft was also in Buffalo.

“I know how exciting this is for you and your family and what an incredible honor it is,” Matthews said. “We’re just as excited to have you join the Maple Leafs and cannot wait to get started. You’re coming to a franchise with an amazing history and base, and we’re all working to write the next great chapter together. And you’re going to be a very important part of that.”

The draft opened with Bettman getting booed — a draft-day tradition — as he took the stage, and was joined by Sabres forward Josh Doan and NFL Bills tackle Dion Dawkins.

Dawkins referred to Bettman as his “new dawg,” acknowledged both the Sabres and Maple Leafs fans in attendance in leading a cheer of “Let’s go, Buffalo.”

For Toronto, McKenna represents a major plank in the rebuilding process of a team suddenly in transition under new general manager John Chayka. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since Matthews’ arrival.

The San José Sharks took Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick. Vancouver picks third, Buffalo fourth and the New York Rangers fifth.

The top of the draft class is considered light on forwards and deep in defensemen.

McKenna is accustomed to the spotlight, splashing on the scene by combining for 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat. He then made the jump to the NCAA last summer in a bid to challenge himself against older and more physical competition.

McKenna finished his freshman season with a flourish, scoring 32 points in his final 17 outings. His 51 points finished tied for fourth in the nation.

He became just the fifth NCAA player to go first, and third in six years, since Michigan defenseman Owen Power went No. 1 to Buffalo in 2021.

Though accustomed to the spotlight, McKenna now heads to a metropolis that is nearly 100 times larger than Whitehorse’s population of about 39,000. He became the fifth Yukon-born player to be selected in the draft, and the highest pick after Ottawa’s Dylan Cozens went No. 7 to Buffalo in 2019.

A day earlier, without revealing who he was picking, Chayka said the team’s staff was unanimous on their choice. Chayka even traveled to Whitehorse last month to spend time with McKenna and his family.

Wawrow writes for the Associated Press.

Travelers Championship second round

-16 S Scheffler (US); -14 V Hovland (Nor); -12 E Cole (US), A Bhatia (US); -10 M Fitzpatrick (Eng), B Griffin (US), B Cauley (US)

Selected others: -9 J Rose (Eng), T Fleetwood (Eng); -8 R MacIntyre (Sco), W Clark (US); -7 A Rai (Eng), S Lowry (Ire)

Full leaderboard

Scottie Scheffler fired a 10-under-par 60 to hold the lead after the second round of the PGA Tour Travelers Championship.

The world number one made 11 birdies and a lone bogey on Friday to move to 16 under at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

That put him two shots clear of Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who also threatened a rare round of 59 as he fired a bogey-free 61 which included seven birdies and an eagle.

Jim Furyk holds the tour-record lowest round at 58, but Scheffler is one of 14 players to have made a 59, which for him came during the 2020 Northern Trust at TPC Boston.

The 30-year-old American had the chance to repeat the feat with a birdie at the 18th hole but missed from just outside 26 feet.

“It was a little tricky,” Scheffler said. “It actually went right to start, and there was a tonne of break right to left at the end.

“It was a tough read, but overall it was a really solid day. I was pretty happy with my execution.”

On his plans for the weekend, the four-time major winner added: “Hard to keep up that pace, but continue to execute, continue to give myself looks.”

Compatriot Akshay Bhatia sat four shots off the lead in a share of third place having matched his career-low round with a bogey-free 62, with fellow American Eric Cole alongside him after a 65.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick lurked two strokes back on 10 under, having had to settle for a four-under 66 after two bogeys on his final three holes, with Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood a single shot further behind and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre at eight under.

Every member of France’s starting XI gets involved as a 17-pass move is put away by Ousmane Dembele to seal his hat-trick in France’s 4-1 win over Norway in their final FIFA World Cup Group I match at Boston Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: Norway 1-4 France – Group I

Available to UK users only.

Through the first two games of this summer’s World Cup, the U.S. was about as perfect as a team could be. It won both games, never trailed, gave up just a goal and won its group handily, playing with a verve and confidence that erased all the doubts that had shadowed it coming in.

Then came Thursday.

With Mauricio Pochettino making a record nine changes to a lineup that had given the U.S. its most successful start to a World Cup in 96 years, the B team that closed the group stage at SoFi Stadium with a 3-2 loss to Turkey served to remind everyone how flawed this group can be.

The backline was porous, goalie Matt Turner gave up goals on the first two shots he faced and with the exception of midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who had a goal and an assist, none of the starters really distinguished themselves. Whether any of that matters won’t be known until the U.S. next takes the field in the knockout rounds, facing Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif.

For Pochettino, whose contempt for convention has been a hallmark of his team’s World Cup run, clearing his bench and getting a U.S.-record 23 players on the field in the group stage was more more important than the result.

“The objective was to finish first and we are first,” he said. “Now it is the next stage and it is going to be a final. And we are ready. We are much better than before that game because we had players now with 90 minutes in their legs and performing and ready to help if we need from the beginning or from the bench. It’s all positive.”

Maybe. Sure, Christian Pulisic, who hadn’t played since the first half of the first game, got back on the field and looked good in a 32-minute cameo. But other than that the game was meaningless since the Americans had already won the group and qualified for the next round while Turkey was going home no matter the result.

The U.S. came in riding a huge wave of momentum, though, and that’s gone now, erased on Kaan Ayhan’s goal on the last touch of the game.

Does that matter?

“No,” captain Tim Ream said with conviction. “You just turn the page.”

The experience the role players got, he said, is more important than the final score.

“When we say it didn’t mean anything, it’s still a meaningful game, right? It’s a World Cup game,” he said. “So it gives everybody a taste of what life will be like if they are called upon and have to contribute.”

Midfielder Tyler Adams wasn’t so sure.

“I don’t know what it’s going to do,” he said. “I can’t predict the future. I don’t have an eight ball in front of me. We’ll see what happens.”

What Adams can say with certainty, however, is that in the future the U.S. will have no room for error. The games are all elimination matches now and 13 players on the U.S. roster, including Adams, have experienced that first hand, having lost in the round of 16 four years ago in Qatar.

Turner said it’s up to those veterans to impart that wisdom on the 13 who are playing in their first World Cup.

“You need to really take care of the boxes when it comes to knockout round. That’s the biggest lesson that we learned,” said Turner, who started all four games in the last World Cup. “It’s not necessarily how beautiful a style you play. The chances you create is important, [but] the way you defend your box is more important.

“Those games are going to be decided by one goal, they’re going to be narrow, and we’re going to have to be compact and be together, defensively, offensively, and take the chances when they come.”

The U.S. did little of that Thursday.

After a Berhalter corner set up Trusty for the first goal in the third minute, Turkey’s Arda Guler, a Real Madrid midfielder, tied the score seven minutes later, splitting a pair of U.S. defenders and running onto a pass from Kenan Yildiz in the center of the box, then lifting a shot over Turner.

Orkun Kokcu handed the U.S. its first deficit of the tournament when he found another big hole in the U.S. defense, redirecting a cross from Eren Elmali in from the center of the box to give Turkey a 2-1 lead.

Berhalter tied the score again four minutes into the second half, latching onto a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and one-hopping a right-footed shot just inside the near post. The game stayed that way until Ayhan, who came on with two minutes left in regulation, slid between two U.S. defenders to knock in the game-winner eight minutes into stoppage time.

For Berhalter, one of a record 21 Americans to get a start in this World Cup, Pochettino’s decision to clear his bench was not only a reward, it was preparation for what’s to come.

“It’s every little kid’s dream, across the United States of America, to play in a home World Cup. Just in a World Cup in general,” he said. “People made their debuts today, so congratulations everyone. This is what everybody looks forward to.”

More important, he added, “we know everyone’s ready to step up at any moment.”

Which is good because history suggests the road ahead is about the get a lot more challenging. The loss to Turkey was the Americans’ 10^th straight to a UEFA team, running their winless streak against European opponents to 13 in a row.

Guess which continent Bosnia and Herzegovina, who the U.S. faces next, is from?

Sports editor Iliana Limón Romero contributed to this story.

Maintaining – or not maintaining – his fitness has been a recurring theme in Duckett’s career. As a youngster, he twice missed out on tours for failing to meet conditioning standards – once with England Under-19s in 2013, then a Northants pre-season trip in 2015.

This time, with a Test career on the line, he has worked with England fitness coach Pete Sim and Nottinghamshire counterpart Zac Bess to lose “five or six” kilograms.

Duckett added: “I started running, which was good!

“I had a four-week block when I got back from the winter where I didn’t necessarily hit many balls.

“It’s just really important now that I use that hard work that I’ve done and maintain it.

“It’s something I’ve really enjoyed and it’s been great for my mental space and getting away from the game. I went to the gym, I ran a lot and a bit of weight came off.”

The early signs for Duckett were good. Three half-centuries in his first five innings for Notts this summer were followed by an unbeaten double century against Surrey.

He still needed the international worm to turn. In the context of the snakepit pitch, scores of 19 and 33 in England’s first-Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s were useful, only to be followed by more misfortune in the loss at The Oval.

On the second morning, Duckett dropped a simple and crucial catch off Kyle Jamieson as England surrendered the momentum. When he came to bat, he was in glorious touch for 36 before being run out by a never-there call from new opening partner Emilio Gay.

At Trent Bridge, it could have been a similar story. In perfect batting conditions and with England replying to New Zealand’s 438, Duckett made his intentions known with two driven fours off Nathan Smith’s first over of the innings.

Smith, though, would return to find Duckett’s edge. Henry Nicholls should have pouched a simple catch at third slip. When the ball dropped to the turf, Duckett responded by punching the next delivery for four and did not look back.

“I was chatting to [England fielding coach] Sarah Taylor,” said Duckett. “We were making a bit of a joke about how I’ve got to get some luck eventually and that’s how the game works.

“I’m extremely thankful for Henry Nicholls for doing that to me.

“It’s been a really frustrating time, because I’ve not felt out of nick, I’ve just not got the runs that I really want. ‘Mother Cricket’ was there for me today. I got put down and made them pay for it.”

For the second straight year, the City Section is allowing a pilot program of high schools forming a boys flag football league as its popularity grows.

This year’s group of high school participants is expected to double in size between eight and 16 teams, City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos said. All will be small charter schools. Last year, several teams that temporarily dropped 11-man football, Sotomayor and Torres, had flag teams in a league that was played in the fall. Sotomayor and Torres will have 11-man teams this season.

When Lagos mentioned the pilot boys flag football league at an 11-man coaches meeting this month, there was clear skepticism voiced by coaches. If boys flag football ever gets approved, Lagos said schools would have to choose between having an 11-man team or a flag team. When Lagos mentioned having the flag season in the spring, there was concern it would take away participants from track and field teams.

This issue figures to come up around the state as schools in the California Interscholastic Federation have similar discussions. Flag football is likely to gain a boost in exposure when it is played at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Lagos points out that boys flag football participants would be different than 11-man. Middle school students engage in flag football and attract students whose parents don’t want them to play 11-man tackle football for fear of head injuries.

Girls flag football is in its fourth year and rising fast. Adding boys flag football is a debate and issue that will need to be addressed in the future.

Ron Nocetti, executive director of the CIF, said a section must first bring up adding boys flag football as a sport before real discussions can begin.

Third Rothesay Test, Trent Bridge (day two of five)

New Zealand 438: Conway 157, Latham 151; Stokes 4-70

England 223-2: Duckett 113, Bethell 74*

England are 215 runs behind

Scorecard

Ben Duckett’s scintillating century built on an inspirational bowling spell from Ben Stokes to haul England back into the decisive third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

In a remarkable turnaround from the Black Caps reaching 317-0 at one stage on the opening day, England took all 10 wickets for 121 runs to dismiss the tourists for 438, then closed the second day on 223-2 – 215 behind.

Captain Stokes, back in the side after the nightclub controversy that led him to miss the second Test, was the catalyst with a typically tireless stint in the sweltering heat.

After England failed to make a breakthrough in the first 40 minutes, Stokes’ eight overs yielded three wickets and a dropped catch.

Shoaib Bashir took two in an over and Jofra Archer one, as well as striking Blair Tickner with a blow that eventually ruled the seamer out of the match with concussion. Overall, from their overnight 361-4, New Zealand lost six wickets for 77 runs on Friday.

Given the conditions and the flat pitch it was a superb effort from England, who set about cutting the deficit despite the loss of Emilio Gay for a duck.

With the support of Jacob Bethell, Duckett took advantage of being dropped on eight to register his first Test hundred since last June.

New Zealand were almost powerless to prevent England’s rapid progress, as the second-wicket pair added 179.

Duckett was eventually out for 113, leaving Bethell to move to an unbeaten 74 – his first half-century at home and in the first innings of a Test. Joe Root, at one of his most fruitful venues, reached 21 not out.

Tennis legend Chris Evert is battling ovarian cancer for the third time and will not attend Wimbledon this year, the 18-time Grand Slam champion and longtime ESPN analyst said Thursday on Instagram.

“This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned,” Evert, 71, wrote. “I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.

“Because of this, I will not be attending Wimbledon this year, and I will step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health.”

Evert was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021. Two years later, she revealed her cancer had returned.

“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” Evert wrote. “I am deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, friends and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.”

Evert was one of the most dominant women’s tennis players of the 1970s and 1980s, winning a record seven French Open titles to go with six at the U.S. Open, three at Wimbledon and two at the Australian Open. She won at least one Grand Slam for 13 consecutive years (1974-1986) and retired in 1989 with a career record of 1,309-146.

Her on-court rivalry with Czech American tennis great Martina Navratilova during that period is legendary, with Navratilova beating Evert in six of their 10 Grand Slam finals against one another and 43 of their 80 overall matches as opponents. They also won the French Open in 1975 and Wimbledon in 1976 as doubles partners.

A new Netflix documentary, “Chris & Martina: The Final Set,” covers their history together, which also includes a decades-long friendship and support for each other through numerous battles with cancer (Navratilova was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2010 and stage 1 throat cancer and breast cancer in January 2023; she announced she was cancer-free in June of that year).

Navratilova was one of the first people to comment on Evert’s Instagram post.

“My friend Chrissie is a champion of champions and as such she will slay this monster again,” Navratilova wrote. “We are all pulling for you, and know you will come out on the other side cancer free again- lots of love, m.”

Other former on-court rivals and fellow International Tennis Hall of Fame members also offered their heartfelt support in the comment section of Evert’s post.

“You beat me 18 straight times, therefore you can beat cancer 19 straight if you have to,” wrote Pam Shriver, who lost 19 of her 22 career matches against Evert. “Much love and respect to one of the greatest competitors ever, Pammie”

Billie Jean King, who lost 19 of her 26 matches against Evert, wrote: “You are a champion and a fighter, and you will beat this. Sending love and prayers from both of us for a strong recovery.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Philip Doyle, who led Ireland to the Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam as head coach in 2013, has died aged 61.

He had two spells in the role, leading the side for three years after being appointed as Kevin West’s successor in 2003 before returning in 2010.

Doyle enjoyed success in the second stint as he steered Ireland to a first Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013, a first win over New Zealand and a fourth-placed finish at the 2014 World Cup.

He stood down after that tournament and went on to take over as Scotland women’s boss in 2019, but left that role a year later due to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also had spells coaching Blackrock College women’s team and Ulster Rugby’s women’s team.

Leading tributes, Blackrock College said there was “profound sadness” and described Doyle, affectionately known as ‘Goose’, as “the most influential coach in the history of women’s rugby”.

The club added: “At Blackrock, Goose was far more than a list of achievements. He was a mentor, a friend, a storyteller, and a constant source of encouragement.

“He cared deeply about the people he coached. He gave players confidence, challenged them to be better, and reminded everyone around him why rugby is such a special game.”

“Few people have done more to advance the women’s game in Ireland and fewer still have done it with such charisma, warmth, humility and generosity of spirit.”

United States president Donald Trump was expected by many to regularly feature at the World Cup.

But he is yet to attend a single match, despite the United States team winning two of their three group games, and qualifying for the knockout stages.

So is it a surprise? Why may he have stayed away? And will he appear before the final? BBC Sport takes a closer look.

“My fellow Americans, citizens of the world, the United States is honoured to play host to this magnificent celebration. The World Cup has captured the imagination of our country, as has the game itself in the last few years…So I welcome all who have come from all countries and all continents and all who will watch these games in the United States for the next 30 days.”

The words of president Bill Clinton on 17 June, 1994 at Soldier Field in Chicago when attending the opening match of the first World Cup to be held in the United States.

The day is remembered more for Diana Ross’ missed ‘penalty-kick’ during the pre-match festivities than Clinton’s address, but his presence now seems more notable.

Because 32 years on, the country is once again staging the event, and yet, with the halfway point of the tournament passed, the current president has stayed away.

Earlier this month, Trump hailed the number of tickets sold by Fifa, labelling it “the most successful World Cup they’ve ever had”, and reinforcing the widely-held view that he would be a highly visible and enthusiastic presence.

After all, in the build-up, the tournament had seemed very important to him. He even referenced it, external in an address at a rally staged on the eve of his presidential inauguration early last year.

And Trump then played a central role at the draw in Washington DC in December, where he was awarded Fifa’s inaugural ‘Peace Prize’ by the governing body’s president Gianni Infantino.

The two men have forged a close relationship in recent years, with Infantino welcomed to both the Oval Office and Trump’s Florida residence Mar-a-Lago.

Trump has also been a regular presence at several other major sports events in the US during his second term, from the Super Bowl, and last summer’s Club World Cup final, to the opening day of golf’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage.

However, when co-hosts the US played their opening match v Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles, following on from an opening ceremony, the president was notable by his absence, with secretary of state Mark Rubio travelling from Washington instead.

It appeared that Trump had prioritised an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House lawn two days later, celebrating his 80th and America’s 250th birthday.

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. We are exactly halfway through the Dodgers season and they are 52-29. The newsletter mathematician is out sick, but I think that works out as being on pace for a 104-58 record this year.

Remember a few weeks ago when the Dodgers were slumping a bit? They had lost four in a row and had dropped into second place behind the San Diego Padres? Well, the Dodgers have the best record in baseball now and are in first place by nine games over the Padres.

They are headed to Petco Park to start a three-game series tonight, with a chance to bury the Padres this weekend, or, let the Padres get within shouting distance again.

So, with 81 games to go, here’s a look at the top two teams in the NL West:

Record
Dodgers, 52-29
Padres, 42-37

Batting average
Dodgers, .262 (1st among the 30 teams)
Padres, .220 (30th)

On-base%
Dodgers, .345 (1st)
Padres, .294 (30th)

Slugging%
Dodgers, .438 (1st)
Padres, .364 (30th)

Runs per game
Dodgers, 5.22 (2nd)
Padres, 3.91 (30th)

Doubles
Dodgers, 137 (7th)
Padres, 113 (T24th)

Home runs
Dodgers, 109 (3rd)
Padres, 81 (T22nd)

Batting avg. with runners in scoring position
Dodgers, .265 (7th)
Padres, .247 (15th)

Batting avg., two out and runners in scoring position
Dodgers, .242 (9th)
Padres, .238 (12th)

Well, there goes the theory that the Dodgers are a poor clutch-hitting team.

ERA
Dodgers, 3.40 (3rd)
Padres, 3.85 (9th)

Rotation ERA
Dodgers, 3.25 (2nd)
Padres, 4.50 (23rd)

Bullpen ERA
Padres, 3.12 (2nd)
Dodgers, 3.68 (10th)

The Dodgers are in the top 10 in everything, while the Padres are in the bottom 10 in a lot of things. It’s amazing they are in second place with an offense that bad,

Now let’s look at the lineups.

Catcher
Dodgers, Will Smith, .249/.338/.382, 102 OPS+
Padres, Freddy Fermin, .145/.245/.258, 41 OPS+

Smith is having an off year by his standards, while Fermin is having an off year by living person standards. His backup, Rodolfo Durán, is hitting .136/.239/.339

First base
Dodgers, Freddie Freeman, .282/.372/.486, 139 OPS+
Padres, Ty France, .252/.297/.485, 115 OPS+

Freeman just keeps chugging along. He is in the top 100 in major league history in hits, runs, doubles, homers, RBIs and walks. He is the active leader in times reached base with 3,741. He’s 36, and next year he will really start rocketing up the career lists as a lot of players are tightly bunched just ahead of him. France is 31, and next year he has a really good shot at being 32.

Second base
Dodgers, Alex Freeland, .241/.324/.340, 87 OPS+
Padres, Fernando Tatís Jr., .283/.347/.367, 101 OPS+

Freeland is the worst hitter among the starters, and he isn’t that bad. Tatis hit 25 homers last season and has three this season, as the Padres have lost all their power this season for some reason. Normally, Jake Cronenworth starts at second for the Padres, but he has been on the IL since May 5 because of concussion symptoms and was hitting only .144 in 34 games before that.

Third base
Dodgers, Max Muncy, .266/.365/.508, 142 OPS+
Padres, Manny Machado, .184/.267/.378, 79 OPS+

You know what you never hear anymore? This: “The Dodgers need to move on from Muncy at third.” Muncy has been their most consistent hitter and has worked hard to improve defensively. Meanwhile, everyone would like to know what happened to Machado, who has been terrible this season and at one point seemed to blame analytics for his slump. He had a walk-off hit Tuesday and seems to be emerging from his doldrums, hitting .259/.339/.556 since June 9.

Shortstop
Dodgers, Mookie Betts, .230/.290/.415
Padres, Xander Bogaerts, .230/.321/.337

Speaking of season-long slumps, hi Mookie! He is also showing signs of life, hitting .317/.358/.524 since June 9 and lifting his numbers to where they are better than Bogaerts’.

Left field
Dodgers, Teoscar Hernández, .276/.348/.436, 119 OPS+
Padres, Samad Taylor, .379/.438/.448, 150 OPS+

Hernández should be back off the IL soon, and Alex Call has filled in quite well in his place. The Padres have played better since calling Taylor up from the minors a couple of weeks ago. His lofty numbers will probably drop (he has had only 66 plate appearances), but his speed has been a spark for San Diego. He replaced normal left fielder Ramón Laureano, who is probably out for the season after hip surgery.

Center field
Dodgers, Andy Pages, .266/.318/.474, 119 OPS+
Padres, Jackson Merrill, .212/.274/.352, 74 OPS+

Pages has been the linchpin of the offense pretty much all season and it’s nice to see a player shake off a brutal postseason on offense by rebounding this year. Merrill is one of many Padres who are mysteriously slumping this season. He hit .264/.317/.457 last season.

Right field
Dodgers, Kyle Tucker, .234/.333/.374, 98 OPS+
Padres, Jase Bowen, .133/.138/.167, 1 OPS+

Tucker would have been great if he was working under the same contract Michael Conforto had last season. Dodgers fans would be pleased with that production for that pay ($17 million). Instead, he’s getting $60 million for league-average production. Bowen has had only 32 plate appearances, and Tatís will move back here once Cronenworth is able to return to second base.

Designated hitter
Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani, .295/.414./.549, 168 OPS+
Padres, Miguel Andujar, .246/.283/.405, 90 OPS+

Ohtani is the best player in the game, while the Padres seem confused as the what a DH is supposed to do. Hint: the word “hitter” is right there in the job title.

Starting pitchers (in order of IP)
Dodgers
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 7-5, 2.65 ERA
Justin Wrobleski, 9-2, 2.71 ERA
Shohei Ohtani, 8-2, 1.58 ERA
Roki Sasaki, 3-4, 4.76 ERA
Emmet Sheehan, 3-5, 5.32 ERA
Eric Lauer, 2-0, 2.54 ERA

Padres
Michael King, 5-6, 3.33 ERA
Randy Vásquez, 6-5, 4.17 ERA
Walker Buehler, 4-3, 3.96 ERA
Griffin Canning, 1-5, 7.38 ERA
Lucas Giolito, 2-3, 5.16 ERA

The Dodgers have one weak spot right now in Sheehan. The Padres just put Giolito on the IL and have been using openers quite a bit lately. It’s nice to see Buehler become a productive pitcher again.

Closer
Dodgers, Tanner Scott, 1-3, 2.18 ERA, 11 saves
Padres, Mason Miller, 2-1, 0.79 ERA, 21 saves

Scott has been good this year, but Miller is the best closer in baseball and has given up only 14 hits and 13 walks in 34 innings, while striking out 66.

Relievers (six most-used, in order of IP)
Dodgers
Edgardo Henriquez, 2-0, 2.93 ERA
Will Klein, 2-2, 2.59 ERA, 1 save
Jack Dreyer, 3-1, 3.82 ERA
Alex Vesia, 1-1, 2.39 ERA, 3 saves
Kyle Hurt, 2-1, 3.42 ERA, 1 save
Blake Treinen, 4-1, 3.52 ERA, 1 save

Padres
Adrián Morejón, 6-1, 3.51 ERA, 1 save
Wandy Peralta, 1-0, 1.82 ERA
Jason Adam, 2-1, 2.45 ERA
Ron Marinaccio, 1-0, 3.72 ERA
Yuki Matsui, 0-1, 1.67 ERA
Kyle Hart, 0-1, 4.13 ERA

It seems unlikely that the Padres will fade quietly into the night, especially if Machado and Tatís start hitting.

For full stats for both team, click here for the Dodgers and click here for the Padres.

Milestone for Mookie

Betts hit the 300th home run of his career Wednesday against the Twins, becoming only the 169th player to reach that mark. He is tied with Chuck Klein and one behind the great Rogers Hornsby. He is 14 behind for Dodger Reggie Smith and 16 behind former Dodger Ron Cey.

Ohtani vs. Rushing

Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing wears his emotions on his sleeve. Sometimes, that’s a good trait in a player. Alex Vesia is like that and he seems to fire up the team. He does it in a “Yeah! Let’s beat these guys!” sort of way.

Rushing, however, is sort of a high-energy Eeyore, the guy who makes every mistake he makes a tragedy of epic proportions.

During Wednesday’s game against the Twins, Rushing had some problems behind the plate while Ohtani was pitching.

Rushing let a pitch get past him for a passed ball due to some miscommunication. Ohtani explained to reporters after the game (through interpreter Will Ireton): “There were two pitches called. The first one was offspeed. The second pitch was a fastball. Rush thought that he was getting an offspeed because I started moving after the first pitch was called, but what I had in mind was the second pitch, which was a fastball.”

From Rushing: “Shohei and I talked about it. It was an error on my side. I messed it up. It was my fault.”

Also, a pitch was called a ball and Ohtani thought it was a strike. He tapped his head to call for an ABS challenge while Rushing shook his head to not challenge. The umpire accepted the challenge and it was a strike.

Ohtani gave up three runs in the second inning. After that, he called his own pitches instead of letting Rushing call them. He then pitched four scoreless innings.

Ohtani, on how to make things better: “The in-game flexibility, reading the swings, reading how the hitters are really taking their approach during the game — that’s how I see what adjustment needs to happen. In that sense, I personally realized we just have to be better at being on the same page and communicating throughout the game.”

Also Ohtani: “There’s really a couple ways of communicating. One is by words, but the other way to be able to communicate is by example, and just taking charge and showing Rush what kind of pitching style I’m capable of.”

Now, I’m not interpeter Will Ireton, but I interpret that as, “When is Will Smith coming back?”

Rushing also struck out in his first three at-bats. He was upset with himself during the game and was consoled on the bench by Dave Roberts, Freeman and Dodgers mental skills coach Brent Walker. That’s a lot of hand holding during a game. And Rushing has had other moments on the bench during games where he has gotten upset or angry about something that has happened. Always directed toward himself, not to his teammates.

Could this be a big problem? Well, it could be. But, the Dodgers didn’t get to where they are by not knowing how to handle situations like this. A lot of scouts will tell you that the biggest difference between triple-A and the majors is the mental aspect. Rushing is learning this now. It would be great if he was just calm and cool and handled all situations flawlessly. But we were all made different for a reason. So, we can afford to give him a little grace, and if the Dodgers feel he (or anyone else) is becoming a detriment to the team, then one day we will wake up to discover, “The Dodgers have traded …”

In the meantime, don’t focus on just these occasional outbursts, look at how well he has played overall. He’s a major league player, he just needs a little help. And don’t we all sometimes?

Final word from Rushing, to reporters after the game: “Good thing he’s as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it’s pretty embarrassing. They’ve always got my back. Once again, it’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man, and it’s a pretty tough pill to swallow.”

Up next

Friday: Dodgers (Roki Sasaki, 3-4, 4.76 ERA) at San Diego (Walker Buehler, 4-3, 3.96 ERA), 6:45 p.m., Apple TV, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Saturday: Dodgers (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 7-5, 2.65 ERA) at San Diego (Randy Vásquez, 6-5, 4.17 ERA), 5:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Sunday: Dodgers (Emmet Sheehan, 3-5, 5.32 ERA) at San Diego (Michael King, 5-6, 3.33 ERA), 1:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

All times Pacific

*-left-handed

In case you missed it

Shohei Ohtani is the first Dodger to be named 2026 All-Star

Shohei Ohtani takes control of Dodgers’ win after miscommunication with Dalton Rushing

Dodgers fulfill $1-million pledge in response to ICE raids, owners divest from prison group

MLB clears Dodgers’ Dr. Neal ElAttrache after link to Conor McGregor steroids report

Shaikin: Why a salary cap wouldn’t be enough to stop the Dodgers from winning

And finally

Vin Scully tells us the first phrase he learned in Japanese. Watch and listen here.

Until next time …

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Saying thank you very much for a 20% annual increase before escalating the protest to another level shows the confidence the players, and their representatives, are feeling.

The average UK employee can currently expect a 3.4% annual pay rise, and with first-round losers at Wimbledon guaranteed to take home £80,000, sympathy among the general public is likely to be in short supply.

But for the players this is not about the annual increase, but about getting a higher percentage of the revenue they help the All England Club generate.

The AELTC counters with the argument that revenue does not take into account their costs, or investment in infrastructure and other grass-court events.

But the players feel emboldened, and will not mourn over lost media opportunities, especially if they can avoid being fined.

The French Open prize money increase was in single digits, but players received 16% at the Australian Open and expect this year’s US Open to at least match the 20% rise they offered last year.

They are slowly but surely getting what they want on pay, although are asking for an extra 1.5% of revenue every year until 2030.

Those figures may not be delivered across the board, so can the issue be solved by negotiation, or will it revert to a game of bluff in which players threaten strike action – and more convincingly than they have to date?

At a fan zone, we met Egyptian fans cheering on Mexico days before their team takes on Iran. For them gay pride was irrelevant.

“Right now it’s about two teams trying to get to the next round,” Makarius Demian told us, adding that he supports gay rights. “Pride match or no Pride match, that’s not what matters.”

Not far from the big screen, an Egyptian restaurant pop-up is getting ready for the match – and for fans craving a taste of home. ‘Koshari’ is a staple Egyptian dish; a mix of lentils, chickpeas, pasta, fried onions and garlic tomato sauce.

Owners Ayman Almasri and Amani Abouammo shut their restaurant Koshari for the duration of the World Cup to open a pop-up version at the fan zone where they were serving up the vegan Egyptian street food.

They say having Egypt and Iran play in a Pride match is awkward and rooted in cultural misunderstanding.

“Here it is the culture. People are used to that,” Abouammo said. “Back home, people are not used to it. It’s this piece of confusion that each party cannot understand the other party.”

On the pitch, there is plenty at stake. Egypt come into this match with momentum after beating New Zealand, and with a real chance of winning Group G.

Iran, meanwhile, arrive in a very different mood – their tournament already shaped by politics, travel restrictions and complaints about preparation time, even if they have been allowed to get to the host city earlier than in previous matches.

As Egypt and Iran try to edge closer to the knockout stages, this match is about more than what happens on the pitch.

It is also a glimpse of what happens when a World Cup lands in a city celebrating one set of values, while two of the teams taking part arrive carrying very different ones of their own.

All times BST. Matches and coverage times are subject to late changes. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Full radio coverage times to follow when available.

Monday, 29 June

Men’s and women’s singles first round

10:30-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:05 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Tuesday, 30 June

Men’s and women’s singles first round

11:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:05 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Wednesday, 1 July

Men’s and women’s singles second round, men’s doubles first round

11:15-13:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

13:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:30-00:30 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Thursday, 2 July

Men’s and women’s singles second round, men’s and women’s doubles first round

11:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Friday, 3 July

Men’s and women’s singles third round, men’s doubles second round, women’s doubles first round, mixed doubles first round

11:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Saturday, 4 July

Men’s and women’s singles third round, men’s and women’s doubles second round, mixed doubles first round, boys’ and girls’ singles first round

11:00-21:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

12:20-17:15 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

17:30-21:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

00:30-01:30 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Sunday, 5 July

Men’s and women’s singles fourth round, men’s doubles third round, women’s doubles second round, mixed doubles second round, boys’ and girls’ singles first round

11:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

12:35-17:35 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:40-00:40 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Monday, 6 July

Men’s and women’s singles fourth round, men’s and women’s doubles third round, mixed doubles quarter-finals, girls’ singles second round, boys’ and girls’ doubles first round

11:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Tuesday, 7 July

Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals, men’s doubles quarter-finals, women’s doubles third round, mixed doubles semi-finals, boys’ singles second round, girls’ doubles first round

12:30-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-22:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:30-00:30 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Wednesday, 8 July

Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals, men’s and women’s doubles quarter-finals, quad singles quarter-finals, men’s and women’s wheelchair doubles quarter-finals, boys’ and girls’ singles third round, boys’ and girls’ doubles second round

12:15-13:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

13:00-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

13:45-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-21:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Thursday, 9 July

Women’s singles semi-finals, men’s doubles semi-finals, women’s doubles quarter-finals, mixed doubles final, men’s and women’s wheelchair singles quarter-finals, men’s, women’s and quad wheelchair doubles semi-finals, boys’ and girls’ singles quarter-finals, boys’ and girls’ doubles quarter-finals

12:30-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:00-21:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:30-00:30 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Friday, 10 July

Men’s singles semi-finals, women’s doubles semi-finals, men’s, women’s and quad wheelchair singles semi-finals, boys’ and girls’ singles semi-finals, boys’ and girls’ doubles semi-finals

12:30-19:30 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

14:00-18:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

19:30-21:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Saturday, 11 July

Women’s singles final, men’s doubles final, women’s wheelchair singles final, men and quad wheelchair doubles finals, girls’ singles final, girls’ doubles final, boys’ doubles final

11:30-13:15 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

12:15-19:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

23:00-00:00 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Sunday, 12 July

Men’s singles final, women’s doubles final, men and quad wheelchair singles final, women’s wheelchair doubles final, boys’ singles final

11:30-13:00 – Live coverage – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

13:00-20:00 – Live coverage – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

01:50-02:50 – Today at Wimbledon – BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app

Expanding the World Cup to 48 teams always presented one obvious problem – it was an imperfect number for a tournament.

With 32 teams, the maths was simple – eight groups of four teams, with the top two going through to a last 16, then quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final.

By adding another 16 nations, Fifa had to find a way to get to a symmetrical knockout stage. There was no ideal solution – one which preserved the intensity of the previous format.

The original plan was to create 16 groups of three teams. The two top in each would go through to the last 16.

But there was an issue. Three-team groups meant individual fixtures – and those in the final match would know exactly what they needed to do to qualify. Nations could play for specific results to secure their passage to the knockout rounds.

Fifa, after all, knew all about alleged collusion from the scandal at the 1982 World Cup. Back then, with groups of four, teams did not play their final group matches at the same time.

West Germany faced Austria in the standalone last game. A slender win for the Germans would send both teams through at the expense of Algeria. The match finished 1-0 to West Germany. Algeria went out.

Fifa changed the format so all final fixtures would be played simultaneously, but that would not have been possible with three-team groups.

The climax to the group stage in Qatar was so exciting that Fifa had a rethink. It accepted there must be 12 four-team groups and two matches would be played at the same time to determine who would qualify.

Except for one crucial difference – something that removed much of the jeopardy that made the last World Cup so gripping.

Eight of the third-placed teams must go through for there to be 32 teams in the knockout rounds. It became harder to be knocked out than to progress.

And one issue becomes clear with two matches this week.

First up, Australia played Paraguay on Thursday. The teams were second and third in Group D and both on three points.

Four points is almost certain to be enough to take one of the eight third-placed qualifying slots, so it created a situation in which the teams knew that a draw was helpful to both.

The match finished 0-0.

Australia are definitely through in second place and celebrated with their supporters at the final whistle. Paraguay played it low key but, barring a very unlikely set of results in the remaining groups, they will go through too.

The next game of interest in this respect is Austria v Algeria in Group J (03:00 BST Sunday).

Again, the two teams are second and third on three points. A point is very likely to send both teams through, while defeat is much more likely to send one home.

Will we see another draw?

After being impacted negatively in 1982, Algeria could be the beneficiaries in 2026.

You could argue a game in Group F on Thursday fell into the same category, with Japan starting the match on four points and Sweden on three.

That match also finished 1-1 to guarantee the Scandinavians would progress, but there was no real risk involved for Japan if they have lost.

It is the same in Group L, too, with Ghana on four points and Croatia on three.

Celtic have announced that Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus will continue to work under manager Martin O’Neill next season.

O’Neill’s return on a permanent basis was confirmed on 11 June, with the 75-year-old agreeing a one-year contract with the option for a further year.

Maloney and McManus stepped up from other roles within the club to assist O’Neill during his two interim stints last term, while former Huddersfield Town boss Fotheringham was added to the group.

Coach Gavin Strachan has recently departed for a post at West Bromwich Albion.

Having replaced Brendan Rodgers, then Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill, who first managed the club between 2000-05, steered Celtic to a league and Scottish Cup double.

“Everybody at the club played their part in our achievements last season and we now look ahead as again we strive together to bring our supporters more success,” said O’Neill in a brief statement.

With all this flux and not a lot of time to bed everything in, the question is whether Hearts can push on again at the top of the table.

Vranckin was clear the remit was to do just that, and in his first job outside of Belgium he appears to relish that challenge.

He can also sympathise with what Hearts went through last season, losing the title in the dying minutes of a thrilling campaign.

The same thing happened to Vrancken at Gent in 2023, when a late Royal Antwerp goal on the final day denied his team the title.

“It takes time [to get over] for sure,” he said.

“But with aiming on the new season and working for the new goals, that’s the only way to get over it and to work for it.

“I hope that we’re on the good side of the story, let’s say, the next time. I think it’s just putting the energy in it and what’s left to come and not looking back too much.

“The best clubs to work in are those that have ambitions. I think this is a good ambition, it’s a good point of focus, a good goal to have. And then we have to work for it and aim as high as possible and then we’ll see where we’ll end.”

Welcome to our Who am I? game.

The rules are simple. Each day there’s a new footballer and the challenge is to guess who they are in as few attempts as possible.

After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. Guess the answer after as few clues as possible to score more points.

Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.

So take part and return for more tomorrow.

Missed yesterday’s quiz? Go back and try your luck here.

Today’s player and clues set by BBC Sport’s Joe Rindl.

After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.

Spain will progress as one of the top two sides if they avoid defeat against Uruguay on Saturday (01:00 BST).

Even if they lose, they will still finish inside the top two unless Cape Verde beat Uruguay. If that happens, Spain will finish third on four points, which is likely to be good enough.

Spain will top the group with a draw, unless Cape Verde win and overturn a goal difference deficit of four.

The group winners go on to play the runners-up of Group J.

Uruguay will be through if they beat Spain. If they draw, then a top-two finish is only possible if Cape Verde also draw.

Cape Verde will make the top two if they beat Saudi Arabia. They can also definitely go through with a draw if Spain beat Uruguay.

If Uruguay and Cape Verde both win they will be tied for top spot, or if they draw for second spot. As they drew with each other, placings would be determined on goal difference – which is level at zero.

If goal difference is identical, positions will be decided first by the better disciplinary record (Cape Verde -3, Uruguay -2) and then by Fifa world ranking, which Uruguay hold.

The second-placed team will face Argentina.

Neither team will qualify if they lose.

Saudi Arabia must beat Cape Verde, and will also need Spain to avoid defeat against Uruguay, to finish second. Four points would likely be enough in third anyway.

Daizen Maeda’s smart finish to Japan’s team goal is cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s long-range strike as Sweden fight back to earn a 1-1 draw, ensuring both sides progress to the World Cup knockout stages.

MATCH REPORT: Japan 1-1 Sweden – Group F

Available to UK users only.

TORONTO — Marina Mabrey matched the WNBA scoring record with 53 points to help the Toronto Tempo rout the Sparks 125-97 on Thursday night.

Mabrey tied the mark set by Liz Cambage for Dallas against New York on July 17, 2018, and by A’ja Wilson for Las Vegas at Atlanta on Aug. 22, 2023.

Mabrey was 17 of 28 from the field, hitting nine of 18 three-pointers, and made 10 of 12 free throws.

The Tempo opened a nine-game homestand.