football

WEEK 8

(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Central League

Contreras at Bernstein

Mendez at Belmont

Roybal at Hollywood

Western League

Fairfax at Venice, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

605 League

Cerritos at Artesia

Pioneer at Glenn

Alpha League

Los Alamitos vs. Edison at SoFi Stadium

Baseline League

Chino Hills at Etiwanda

Rancho Cucamonga at Ayala

Upland at Damien

Citrus Belt League

Cajon at Redlands East Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Desert Empire League

Palm Desert at Shadow Hills

Desert Sky League

Victor Valley at Adelanto, 7:30 p.m.

Desert Valley League

Twentynine Palms at Indio

Foothill League

Valencia vs. Golden Valley at Canyon Country Canyon

Golden League

Lancaster at Knight

Hacienda League

Chino at Los Altos

Diamond Bar at Covina

Inland Valley League

Canyon Springs at Citrus Hill

Heritage at Lakeside

Perris at Moreno Valley

Iota League

Troy at Anaheim Canyon

Ivy League

Paloma Valley at Rancho Verde, 7:30 p.m.

Riverside North at Liberty, 7:30 p.m.

Vista del Lago at Orange Vista, 7:30 p.m.

Kappa League

Brea Olinda at Garden Grove

Lambda League

Beckman at La Palma Kennedy

Mojave River League

Hesperia at Serrano, 7:30 p.m.

Sultana at Oak Hills, 7:30 p.m.

Montview League

Ontario at Azusa

Mountain Pass League

Tahquitz at Temescal Canyon, 7:30 p.m.

West Valley at Elsinore, 7:30 p.m.

Omicron League

Buena Park at Garden Grove Pacifica

Katella at Woodbridge

Pacific League

Burbank Burroughs at Muir

Crescenta Valley at Pasadena

River Valley League

Jurupa Valley La Sierra, 7:30 p.m.

San Andreas League

San Gorgonio at Rim of the World, 7:30 p.m.

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

Valley League

Valley Oaks CES at East Valley

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agape League

Academy of Careers & Exploration at Victor Valley Christian

Coast Valley League

Valley Christian Academy at Coast Union, 5 p.m.

Majestic League

Cornerstone Christian at United Christian Academy

Nonleague

River Springs at Noli Indian, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Coliseum League

Crenshaw at Fremont

Dorsey at King/Drew

East Valley League

Arleta at Verdugo Hills

Chavez at Fulton, 3:30 p.m.

Grant at North Hollywood

Sun Valley Poly at Monroe

Eastern League

Garfield at South Gate

Legacy at Bell

South East at L.A. Roosevelt

Exposition League

Manual Arts at Angelou, 7:30 p.m.

Santee at Jefferson

Marine League

Gardena at Narbonne, 7:30 p.m.

Wilmington Banning at Carson, 7:30 p.m.

Metro League

Hawkins at LA Jordan, 7:30 p.m.

Locke at Rancho Dominguez Locke, 7:30 p.m.

Northern League

Eagle Rock at Franklin, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Wilson at Lincoln

Southern League

Rivera at Los Angeles, 3:30 p.m.

Valley Mission League

Canoga Park at Granada Hills Kennedy

Van Nuys at Reseda

West Valley League

Chatsworth at Granada Hills

Cleveland at El Camino Real, 7:15 p.m.

Taft at Birmingham, 7:15 p.m.

Western League

L.A. University vs. Palisades at Santa Monica College

Westchester at L.A. Hamilton

Nonleague

Maywood CES at Washington

SOUTHERN SECTION

Almont League

Alhambra at Schurr

Montebello at Bell Gardens

San Gabriel at Keppel

Alpha League

San Clemente at Mission Viejo

Angelus League

Alemany at St. Francis

Cathedral at Paraclete

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy at St. Paul

Bay League

Culver City at Leuzinger

Inglewood at Mira Costa

Palos Verdes at Lawndale

Big West Lower League

Corona Santiago at Great Oak

Murrieta Mesa at Corona

Riverside King at Temecula Valley

Big West Upper League

Chaparral at Norco

Corona Centennial at Murrieta Valley

Vista Murrieta at Eastvale Roosevelt

Bravo League

Corona del Mar at Villa Park

San Juan Hills at Newport Harbor

Tesoro at Yorba Linda

Camino Real League

Mary Star of the Sea at Bosco Tech

Channel League

Buena at Oak Park

Moorpark at Oxnard

Ventura at Royal

Citrus Belt League

Citrus Valley at Redlands

Yucaipa at Beaumont

Citrus Coast League

Carpinteria at Del Sol

Nordhoff at Grace

Santa Clara at Channel Islands

Conejo Coast League

Newbury Park at Westlake

Santa Barbara at Calabasas

Thousand Oaks at Rio Mesa

Cottonwood League

Silver Valley at Santa Rosa Academy

Trinity Classical Academy at Riverside Prep

Webb at Temecula Prep

Del Rey League

Harvard-Westlake at Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary

La Salle at St. Anthony

Salesian at Crespi

Del Rio League

California at La Serna

El Rancho at Whittier

Delta League

Cypress at Western

El Modena at Tustin

Trabuco Hills at Capistrano Valley

Desert Empire League

La Quinta at Rancho Mirage

Palm Springs at Xavier Prep

Desert Sky League

Silverado at Barstow

Desert Valley League

Yucca Valley at Coachella Valley

Epsilon League

El Dorado at Laguna Hills

Foothill at Huntington Beach

La Habra at Crean Lutheran

Foothill League

Castaic vs. West Ranch at Valencia

Hart at Canyon Country Canyon

Foxtrot League

Aliso Niguel at Laguna Beach

Fountain Valley at Dana Hills

Orange at Northwood

Gano League

Chaffey at Rowland

Montclair at Don Lugo

Gateway League

Dominguez at La Mirada

Downey at Paramount

Warren at Mayfair

Gold Coast League

Rio Hondo Prep at Viewpoint

Golden League

Antelope Valley at Highland

Palmdale at Littlerock

Quartz Hill at Eastside

Hacienda League

Walnut at South Hills

Iota League

Irvine at El Toro

Sonora at Santa Ana

Ironwood League

Heritage Christian at Aquinas

Ontario Christian at Capistrano Valley Christian

Village Christian at Cerritos Valley Christian

Kappa League

Esperanza at St. Margaret’s

Westminster at Segerstrom

Lamba League

Marina at Fullerton

Sunny Hills at Placentia Valencia

Manzanita League

Anza Hamilton at Desert Christian Academy

Nuview Bridge at Vasquez

San Jacinto Valley Academy at Desert Chapel

Marmonte League

Oaks Christian at St. Bonaventure

Oxnard Pacifica at Camarillo

Simi Valley at Bishop Diego

Mesquite League

Arrowhead Christian at Maranatha

Big Bear at Linfield Christian

Whittier Christian at Western Christian

Mid-Cities League

Bellflower at Compton Early College

Lynwood at Firebaugh

Norwalk at Gahr

Miramonte League

Duarte at Bassett

Garey at La Puente

Workman at Ganesha

Mission League

Bishop Amat at Loyola

Chaminade at Gardena Serra

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Sierra Canyon

Mission Valley League

Arroyo at Gabrielino

Pasadena Marshall at South El Monte

Rosemead at Mountain View

Mojave River League

Apple Valley at Ridgecrest Burroughs

Montview League

Hacienda Heights Wilson at Nogales

Sierra Vista at Pomona

Moore League

Lakewood at Millikan

Long Beach Wilson at Long Beach Poly

Mountain Valley League

Miller at Indian Springs

San Bernardino at Pacific

Ocean League

West Torrance at Beverly Hills

Omicron League

Portola at Irvine University

Pacific League

Arcadia at Glendale

Hoover at Burbank

Pioneer League

North Torrance at Peninsula

Santa Monica at Redondo Union

Torrance at South Torrance

Rio Hondo League

Monrovia at La Canada

San Marino at South Pasadena

River Valley League

Rubidoux at Patriot

San Andreas League

Colton at Kaiser

Sierra League

Bonita at Claremont

Charter Oak at Los Osos

Colony at Glendora

Sigma League

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel at Ocean View

Los Amigos at Estancia

Santa Ana Valley at Rancho Alamitos

Skyline League

Arroyo Valley at Riverside Notre Dame

Bloomington at Rialto

Carter at Fontana

Sun Valley League

Banning at Desert Hot Springs

Cathedral City at Desert Mirage

Sunbelt League

Arlington at Rancho Christian

Hemet at Valley View

Riverside Poly at Hillcrest

Sunkist League

Grand Terrace at Summit

Jurupa Hills at Eisenhower

Tango League

Anaheim at Garden Grove Santiago

Bolsa Grande at Costa Mesa

La Quinta at Loara

Tri-County League

Dos Pueblos at Santa Paula

Fillmore at Agoura

San Marcos at Hueneme

Trinity League

Orange Lutheran at JSerra

St. John Bosco vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills

Valle Vsta League

Baldwin Park at West Covina

Diamond Ranch at Alta Loma

Northview at San Dimas

Zeta League

Savanna at Century

Magnolia at Godinez

INTERSECTIONAL

St. Genevieve at Roseville Oakmont

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

City League

Animo Robinson at Stella, TBA

USC Hybrid at New Designs University Park, 4 p.m.

University Pathways at New Designs Watts, 4 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Agape League

Lucerne Valley at PAL Academy, 3 p.m.

Coast Valley League

Cuyama Valley at Maricopa

Express League

Downey Calvary Chapel at Southlands Christian

Frontier League

Laguna Blanca at Malibu, 6:30 p.m.

Heritage League

Santa Clarita Christian at Lancaster Baptist

Majestic League

Entrepreneur at Calvary Baptist

California Lutheran at Hillcrest Christian, 6:30 p.m.

Tri-Valley League

Flintridge Prep at Sage Hill, 6 p.m.

Nonleague

California School for the Deaf Riverside at Hesperia Christian

INTERSECTIONAL

Bakersfield Tehillah Christian Academy at Sherman Oaks CES

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Valley Mission League

San Fernando vs. Sylmar at LA Coliseum, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Moore League

Long Beach Jordan at Compton

River Valley League

Ramona at Norte Vista

Trinity League

Servite vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Coast Valley League

Coastal Christian at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy, 6 p.m.

Frontier League

Thacher at Villanova Prep, 1 p.m.

Tri-Valley League

Chadwick at Cate, 2 p.m.

Norwegian riot police used pepper spray to disperse a pro-Palestinian protest outside a World Cup qualifier match between Norway and Israel, which the hosts won 5-0. Several activists were arrested.

Messi’s dominant performance against Atlanta came after he briefly left international duty with Argentina during the FIFA window.

Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted on another by Jordi Alba to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 home victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Chase Stadium in Florida.

Messi, who sat out his home nation, Argentina’s, friendly against Venezuela that was held in Miami one night earlier, started and helped Inter Miami (18-7-8, 62 points) guarantee itself at least the No 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with the victory.

The Herons still have a chance to secure the No 2 seed if they can finish with more points than FC Cincinnati, which also has 62 points. If the teams finish with the same number of points, Cincinnati would clinch the higher seed by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Atlanta United (5-16-12, 27 points), which eliminated Inter Miami from the MLS playoffs in the first round last season, lost its third match in a row and is winless in its past five.

Both teams were short-handed due to the FIFA international window this week. But Messi, who chose to play for club over country this weekend, now leads the MLS in goals, with 26, and his 18th assist tied San Diego’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead.

Messi’s first goal came in the 39th minute when he controlled a crossing pass from Baltasar Rodriguez and curled in a shot to the far top corner to break a scoreless deadlock. His second goal capped the scoring in the 87th minute off an assist from Alba.

In the 52nd minute, Messi created the chance that led to Miami’s second score, when he looped a long ball across the field to Alba as he surged towards Atlanta’s goal. Alba did the rest, lobbing the ball over Atlanta keeper Jayden Hibbert.

Luis Suarez added to the tally in the 61st minute, when he timed a shot perfectly off a high clearance attempt by Atlanta into the back of the net, curling the ball past Hibbert. Inter Miami’s Rocco Rios Novo started in goal and recorded the clean sheet.

Atlanta United, which has been riddled with injuries to key players this season, had to deal with another when, in the 14th minute, Stian Gregersen was forced to leave the game with what appeared to be a potential hamstring issue.

Saturday’s fixture was the final MLS regular-season match at Chase Stadium for Inter, with the team relocating to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.

Erling Haaland’s Norway close in on World Cup qualification in a match where a pro-Palestine demonstration was held.

Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to pass 50 international goals in record time as Norway cruised to a 5-0 thrashing of Israel, edging closer to qualifying for a first FIFA World Cup finals since 1998.

Before the Saturday night match in Oslo, hundreds of people attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration, chanting “Free Palestine” to protest against Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, AFP journalists reported.

Norwegian police dispersed a gathering of pro-Palestinian activists with tear gas and made several arrests.

Inside the Ullevaal Stadium, several dozen Israeli fans waved their country’s flag and a banner reading “Let the Ball Talk!”.

Norway now lead Group I with 18 points, six more than second-placed Italy, who beat Estonia 3-1 in Tallinn to stay on track for qualification.

The comfortable win in Oslo leaves Norway firmly in control of the group as they seek a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

After a meek performance, Israel take on Italy in Udine on Tuesday, knowing they must win to keep alive their fading hopes of qualifying.

Haaland’s hat-trick sets the tone

Haaland became the fastest player in men’s international football to reach 50 goals for his country and now boasts 51 goals for Norway in just 46 games.

His early penalty was saved by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, but the referee ordered the spot-kick to be retaken for encroachment inside the area, only for Peretz to parry away Haaland’s second effort.

But Norway forged ahead in the 18th minute through an Anan Khalaili own goal, before Haaland raced clear to score. Norway got their third from an Idan Nachmias own goal.

Manchester City forward Haaland added his second with a powerful header before nodding in to complete his sixth hat-trick for his country with 18 minutes left.

Norway has not played at a major tournament since Euro 2000.

Italy, attempting to reach their first World Cup finals since 2014, moved a step closer thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Pio Esposito in Tallinn.

The Italians move three points ahead of Israel in second place in Group I, which offers a playoff spot.

Italy’s meeting with Israel is expected to be a tense affair, surrounded by pro-Palestinian protests, and only 5,000 tickets have been sold.

Portugal maintain winning record in qualifying despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half penalty miss against Ireland.

Portugal’s Ruben Neves scored a stoppage-time goal to snatch a 1-0 win over Ireland, which preserved Portugal’s 100 percent record in World Cup qualifying Group F and consolidated the top spot.

Portugal moved to nine points at the halfway stage of the campaign, with a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary, who they host on Tuesday, when they could secure qualification.

Neves headed home a minute into added time on Saturday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade for his first international goal.

It was a poignant tribute to close friend Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose No 21 jersey Neves wore in Portugal’s first home game since the Liverpool player’s death.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty saved earlier in the match as Ireland threatened to hold the hosts to a draw, but the late strike kept the Irish at the bottom of the standings with one point.

Activists campaign to suspend Israel from European football, calling for accountability for genocide.

Calls for Israel’s suspension from European football have been renewed a day after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect and as the Israeli team has resumed its qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The human rights campaign group Game Over Israel urged UEFA on Saturday to suspend Israel until it ends its abuses against Palestinians.

With the ceasefire in Gaza coming into effect on Friday, Ashish Prashar, a campaign director at Game Over Israel, stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its conduct.

He said Israel has “no place in international football” after the horrors it unleashed on Gaza, which leading rights groups and United Nations investigators have described as a genocide.

“Even if bombs and bullets stop, genocide is a crime against humanity and perhaps the gravest crime a state or project can commit,” Prashar told Al Jazeera.

“Remember what Europe did after World War II. Nazi Germany was suspended from football, and the Nuremberg trials took place.”

Game Over Israel has been using billboards in major cities across the world to drive home that message. The latest billboard was revealed in Milan and addressed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

“Israel is committing genocide. Suspend Israel now. It’s your moral obligation,” it said.

The campaign also conveyed the same message in a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times on Saturday.

From Times Square to MILAN 🇮🇹, football fans have had ENOUGH! ‼️😡 Stop allowing football to sports-wash genocide. The world sees through it and we’re demanding a full Israeli boycott across football. The Federations can’t hide anymore. Suspend Israel.#GameOverIsrael @UEFA pic.twitter.com/pbQSmn1pia

— gameoverisrael (@gameover_israel) October 11, 2025

John Dugard, former UN special rapporteur on Palestine, said it remains legally necessary and urgent for UEFA to ban the Israel Football Association (IFA).

“By continuing to host Israeli teams, UEFA risks becoming complicit in the normalisation of war crimes,” Dugard said in a statement.

“We urge you to uphold the integrity of the sport and immediately suspend the IFA and all affiliated teams from UEFA competitions until Israel ends the genocide and its unlawful occupation, and fully complies with its obligations under international law.”

In addition to the atrocities in Gaza, Israel allows teams based in settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law, to compete in its professional leagues in violation of FIFA rules.

“Member associations and their clubs may not play on the territory of another member association without the latter’s approval,” FIFA statutes read.

There is international consensus, backed by UN resolutions and International Court of Justice opinions, that the West Bank is Palestinian territory illegally occupied by Israel.

Both FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia days after it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“Mass imprisonment is a red line. Systematic torture is a red line. Illegal occupation is a red line. Apartheid is a red line. And genocide is the reddest line of all,” former UN official Craig Mokhiber said in a statement.

“Israel has crossed too many of humanity’s red lines to be granted a pass. To normalise this now would mean complicity in shepherding in a new era of horror for our world.”

This month, more than 30 legal scholars penned a letter to Ceferin emphasising the need to ban Israel.

Hundreds of Norwegian fans protested against Israel before their national team’s game against Israel on Saturday, waving Palestinian flags and banners accusing Israel of apartheid and genocide.

The match ended in a thumping 5-0 win for Norway. Israel now sits in third spot in Group I of the UEFA qualifiers before its match against Italy on Tuesday and has a razor-thin chance of booking a playoff spot for the World Cup.

The United States, which will co-host next year’s tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, has said it will block any attempts to ban Israel from the World Cup should it qualify.

Israel has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup on a European quota. It did so in 1970 from Asia.

A look at the top performers from high school football across the Southland during Week 7.

RUSHING

• Ryan Salcedo, Bishop Amat: Rushed for 371 yards and five touchdowns in win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

• Jeremiah Watson, Murrieta Valley: Rushed for 282 yards and finished with six touchdowns in win over Chaparral.

• Demanie Bell, Westlake: Rushed for 189 yards and four touchdowns in win over Thousand Oaks.

• Trey Freking, South Pasadena: Had 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns in win over La Cañada.

• Malaki Davis, Corona Centennial: Rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns in win over Vista Murrieta.

• Journee Tonga, Leuzinger: Rushed for three touchdowns, passed for another in win over Palos Verdes.

• Jaxsen Stokes, Sierra Canyon: Rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns in win over Chaminade.

• Joshua Aaron, Venice: Rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns in loss to Palisades.

PASSING

• Koa Malau’ulu, St. John Bosco: Completed 17 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns in win over Orange Lutheran.

• Chris Fields, Carson: Passed for 265 yards and four touchdowns in win over Gardena.

• Jake Nuttall, Saugus: Passed for 342 yards and school-record seven touchdowns in win over West Ranch.

• Michael Wynn Jr., St. Genevieve: Passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns in win over Monrovia.

• Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral: Completed 12 of 13 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 92 yards and one touchdown in win over Bishop Alemany.

• Brady Edmunds, Huntington Beach: Completed 18 of 21 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns in win over La Habra.

• Dominick Catalano, Corona Centennial: Passed for 227 yards and four touchdowns vs. Vista Murrieta.

• Joseph Mesa, Paraclete: Passed for 263 yards and four touchdowns in win over St. Pius X-St. Matthias.

• Dane Weber, Chaparral: Passed for 307 yards and three touchdowns in loss to Murrieta Valley.

• Jack Thomas, Palisades: Passed for 460 yards and five touchdowns in win over Venice.

• Gavin Gray, Agoura: Passed for 286 yards and five touchdowns, ran for another in win over Dos Pueblos.

RECEIVING

• Jordin Daniel, Carson: Made eight catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns vs. Gardena.

• Luc Weaver, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame: Caught four passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in loss to Bishop Amat.

• Troy Foster, Huntington Beach: Caught 11 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown vs. La Habra.

• Adrian Jones, Paraclete: Caught nine passes for 130 yards and four touchdowns vs. St. Pius X-St. Matthias.

• Demare Dezeurn, Palisades: Caught seven passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns vs. Venice.

DEFENSE

• Pakipole Moala, Leuzinger: Returned interception 100 yards for touchdown vs. Palos Verdes.

• Grant Woods and Somto Nwude, Crespi: Each had two sacks in win over La Salle.

• Jaden Walk-Green, Corona Centennial: Returned interception 80 yards for touchdown in win over Vista Murrieta, his third pick six this season.

• CJ Lavender Jr., Mater Dei: Had two interceptions in loss to Santa Margarita.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Jacob Kreinbring, Loyola: Made field goals from 44 and 35 yards in win over Serra at SoFi Stadium.

• Angelinne Mazariegos, St. Genevieve: The All-CIF girls’ soccer player made a 24-yard field goal vs. Monrovia.

• Oliver White, Crespi: Returned a punt 64 yards for touchdown vs. La Salle.

• Tyler Wiegand, Santa Margarita: Kicked the winning extra point in the Eagles’ 7-6 victory over Mater Dei.

• Kyle Donahue, San Juan Hills: Made two 32-yard field goals in win over Yorba Linda, making him nine for nine this season.

Follow our live build-up, with team news, ahead of our full text commentary stream of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Sitting in a chair on Thursday night as fans came into SoFi Stadium to watch high school football games between Loyola and Gardena Serra and Leuzinger against Palos Verdes, you can hear the different reactions of first-time visitors as they climbed escalators and stairs to reach their seats.

Many were in awe.

“This is nice.”

“Wow. This stadium is so different.”

“I can’t believe I paid $80 for a high school game.”

The games have been put together by Playbook Events. Teams have to give up revenue they would make from hosting their own games. Parking costs $10 while student and adult tickets range from $29 to $71. Usual student tickets are $10 at home sites.

It’s clear players enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience to play in a prestigious NFL stadium that will host the swimming competition at the 2028 Olympic Games. And first-time visitors who’ve never been able attend a concert or NFL game at SoFi because of cost are truly impressed with the seating and experience.

But there’s also some issues that could enhance the experience. One fan suggested better directions on where to park and how to pay for parking, since only credit cards are accepted, and lots of grandparents are not tech savvy on how to purchase tickets online or which entrance to take to find the parking lot. Schools need to provide more specific instructions. Organizers are also requiring fans to sign a waiver when entering, leading to long lines if you don’t arrive early.

The cost for fans can be prohibitive, which means schools need to take that into account when agreeing to play a game at SoFi. The organizers certainly know what they are doing. Games start on time and security is plentiful and helpful for first-time visitors.

Loyola athletic director Chris O’Donnell said, “For this kind of experience, for both teams, it’s really great. I’d do this again in a second.”

The next big game at SoFi Stadium happens Thursday at 5 p.m. when unbeaten Los Alamitos plays Huntington Beach Edison.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

France beat Azerbaijan 3-0 on Friday to edge closer to qualifying for FIFA 2026 World Cup, but Kylian Mbappe injured.

Kylian Mbappe will miss Monday’s qualifier in Iceland, where France could book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, after taking another knock to his sore right ankle, the French team confirmed.

Already suffering from a “small niggle” in his right ankle from playing for Real Madrid, Mbappe took two knocks during Friday’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he opened the scoring but was substituted before the end of the match.

The France captain’s absence adds to the long list of forwards unavailable for October’s World Cup qualifiers, which includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola.

Mbappe “will not be able to play Monday against Iceland”, a French Football Federation (FFF) statement read.

After returning to the Clairefontaine training ground on Friday night, “the French team captain spoke with (coach) Didier Deschamps,” who “acknowledged his absence”.

Mbappe “has been released to his club (Real Madrid) and will not be replaced”, the FFF added.

The French superstar had already been rested for training with Les Bleus during the week with the same issue.

Mbappe scored on the stroke of half-time and was then struck by a tackle from Rustam Ahmedzade. He took another knock to the same ankle late in the game and was replaced by Florian Thauvin.

“He has a sore ankle and he took a knock there. He preferred to come off; the pain was quite significant,” Deschamps said after the French victory.

Adrien Rabiot and the substitute Thauvin were also on the scoresheet as Deschamps’s men remain unbeaten after three games and top of Group D.

Les Bleus will book their passage to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year if they win in Iceland on Monday and Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan.

The international break. A perfect time to slow down, relax and put your football knowledge to the test.

We’ve brought back our Guess the Footballers format – and there are 10 players to get.

Looking for this weekend’s Guess the Line-ups quiz? It was published on Tuesday to mark England’s friendly against Wales.

A look at how the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland fared this week:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (7-0) def. Orange Lutheran, 48-0; vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills, next Friday

2. SIERRA CANYON (7-0) def. Chaminade, 45-14; vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, next Friday

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (5-1) def. Vista Murrieta, 63-14; at Murrieta Valley, next Friday

4. MATER DEI (5-2) lost to Santa Margarita, 7-6; vs. Servite at Santa Ana Stadium, Oct. 18

5. MISSION VIEJO (6-1) did not play; vs. San Clemente, next Friday

6. SANTA MARGARITA (5-2) def. Mater Dei, 7-6; vs. St. John Bosco at Trabuco Hills, next Friday

7. LOS ALAMITOS (7-0) did not play; vs. Edison at SoFi Stadium, Thursday

8. ORANGE LUTHERAN (3-4) lost St. John Bosco, 48-0; vs. JSerra at Saddleback Coll., next Friday

9. CORONA DEL MAR (6-0) vs. Newport Harbor, Saturday; at Villa Park, next Friday

10. SERVITE (5-2) def. JSerra, 43-26; vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, next Friday

11. BEAUMONT (5-2) lost to Cajon, 25-23; vs. Yucaipa, next Friday

12. OXNARD PACIFICA (6-0) vs. St. Bonaventure, Friday; at Camarillo, next Friday

13. MURRIETA VALLEY (6-1) def. Chaparral, 56-42; vs. Corona Centennial, next Friday

14. VISTA MURRIETA (5-2) lost to Corona Centennial, 63-14; at Eastvale Roosevelt, next Friday

15. DAMIEN (6-1) def. Etiwanda, 49-31; vs. Upland, Thursday

16. SAN JUAN HILLS (5-2) def. Yorba Linda, 41-17; at Newport Harbor, next Friday

17. JSERRA (3-4) lost to Servite, 43-26; vs. Orange Lutheran at Saddleback Coll., next Friday

18. GARDENA SERRA (3-4) lost to Loyola, 13-10; vs. Chaminade, next Friday

19. DOWNEY (6-1) def. La Mirada, 67-7; at Paramount, next Friday

20. YORBA LINDA (5-2) lost to San Juan Hills, 41-17; vs. Tesoro, next Friday

21. LEUZINGER (5-1) def. Palos Verdes, 40-14; vs. Culver City, next Friday

22. EDISON (5-2) did not play; vs. Los Alamitos at SoFi Stadium, Oct. 16

23. PALOS VERDES (4-3) lost to Leuzinger, 40-14; at Lawndale, next Friday

24. CREAN LUTHERAN (7-0) def. El Dorado, 50-7; vs. La Habra, next Friday

25. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME (4-3) lost to Bishop Amat, 36-29; at Sierra Canyon, next Friday

Truly Adams of Moreno Valley is racing Formula 4 cars in France even though he’s not old enough to obtain a driver’s license in California.

The 15-year-old freshman who’s enrolled in online classes at Epic Charter School in Corona became the first American driver to finish on the podium at the Feed Racing Volant F4 finals last month, taking third place in a field of international contenders at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, one of France’s top F1 racetracks.

Truly Adams races in the Feed Racing Volant F4 Finals in France.

(Troy Adams Coaching)

Adams is bilingual in English and Spanish and learning French to help further his desired career in racing. He’s won kart races in Spain and was the fastest driver at the Mexico F4 Series test. He’s preparing for the 2026 French Formula 4 season next year, which is the path toward being a Formula 1 driver. Entry into the series requires $300,000 in funding, so he’s seeking sponsorships and partnerships.

“I love racing cars because of the thrill of it, passing cars, getting passed, going 130 mph in the straightaway,” he said.

His father, Troy, serves as his driving coach. His mother, Kara, is his driver when he’s in Southern California. In the last year, he’s traveled throughout the United States and to France, Portugal, Spain and Italy for competitions.

“I played every sport growing up — soccer, football, basketball, golf, tennis, rugby, swimming,” he said. “I tried to play the guitar. I tried to play piano. I tried to play everything.”

Racing cars turned out to be what he was most successful at. He has his own YouTube channel highlighting some of his early experiences. Now he uses Instagram @Truly_theTruth.

He said he has begun studying for his California driving test in September of 2026.

Asked what he might tell the instructor in the car, he said, “I’ll tell him I’m a professional race car driver and do you want to go more than the speed limit?”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

With back-to-back wins over Palos Verdes and Inglewood, Leuzinger High’s football team has vaulted to the top of the Bay League hierarchy.

On Thursday night, despite losing quarterback Russell Sekona to a fractured hand in the second quarter, Leuzinger (5-0, 2-0) relied on its defense and the play of running back-turned-quarterback Journee Tonga to come away with a 40-14 victory over Palos Verdes at SoFi Stadium.

Tonga contributed touchdown runs of 14 and 21 yards on option plays. Then Leuzinger’s speed back, Kelton Strickland, ran 84 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. And Tonga added a 61-yard touchdown pass. All this came with Palos Verdes (4-3, 1-1) thinking the 5-foot-8 Tonga wasn’t going to be much of passing threat. Aided by his offensive line, Tonga found holes in the Sea Kings’ defense.

The Olympians’ defense frustrated Palos Verdes quarterback Ryan Rakowski, who was ejected with 11:41 left after getting into a squabble with Leuzinger linebacker Samu Moala. The game was delayed as the officials talked to both coaches trying to determine ejections. Moala was ejected along with two teammates.

“High emotion,” Moala said. “Lesson learned.”

Those ejected can be sidelined for one to three games depending on the officials’ report.

Rakowski had 12 yards passing at halftime and finished with 87 yards.

Palos Verdes made a brief rally in the fourth quarter, recovering an onside kick, recovering another fumble and closing to 27-14 on two touchdown passes by senior quarterback Giorgio Di Mascio. But Pakipole Moala clinched Leuzinger’s victory with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown. Then Tonga added his third rushing touchdown of the night.

If Loyola football coach Drew Casani could give out game balls after his team’s 13-10 Mission League win over Gardena Serra at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night, he’d need to go to a sporting goods store to find enough to hand out. There were so many contributors.

There was kicker/punter Jacob Kreinbring making field goals from 44 and 35 yards despite narrower NFL goal posts. He also had a punt downed at the one-yard line.

There was linebacker Kane Casani, who blocked a field goal that led to a long touchdown return by sophomore Malique Pollard.

There was linebacker Holden Smyser and defensive linemen Max Meier and Will Mack, all of whom helped the defense stop Serra three out of four times on fourth downs in the fourth quarter.

Remember that Loyola (4-3, 1-1) lost a group of players who abandoned the program in the offseason, leaving behind players who drew skepticism whether they would be competitive against top teams.

It’s that Loyola tradition of playing as a group that allowed the Cubs to beat a Serra team that continues to struggle on offense. Serra (3-4, 0-2) fell behind 10-0, then tied the game on a DeVohn Moutra Jr. safety, followed by a touchdown run and two-point conversion from sophomore quarterback Malik Tunai.

“Man, this feels great,” said Kane Casani, who’s the son of the head coach. “A lot of people doubted us. We came together as a brotherhood.”

Loyola broke the tie with 4:14 left in the third quarter on Kreinbring’s 35-yard field goal.

Everton explore Kalvin Phillips move from Manchester City, Liverpool interest in Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace preparing for Marc Guehi exit and Manchester United ready to spend big for Kenan Yildiz.

Everton are looking into a potential move for Manchester City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 29, in January. (Football Insider, external)

Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs interested in 21-year-old Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton. (Mail – subscription required), external

Brentford are not expected to offer Jamaica international Michail Antonio, 35, a contract despite the former West Ham forward training with the Bees. (Mail, external)

Manchester United remain in talks with Harry Maguire, 32, over a new deal and face-to-face meetings have already taken place between the club and the representatives of the England defender, whose contract expires next summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Manchester United are prepared to offer £78m for Juventus and Turkey forward Kenan Yildiz, 20, who is also being targeted by Chelsea. (Caught Offside, external)

With signing a new midfielder a key target next summer, Manchester United are considering Brighton and Cameroon star Carlos Baleba, 21, and England international Elliot Anderson, 22, of Nottingham Forest. (Sky Sports, external)

Crystal Palace are preparing for Marc Guehi’s exit, either during the January transfer window or next summer, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid among clubs who maintain an interest in the 25-year-old England defender. (Express, external)

Napoli are keen on signing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan in January despite deciding against a move for the 20-year-old England international in the summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian, external)

Nottingham Forest and Brazil centre-back Murillo, 23, is one of the names at the top of Chelsea’s list of targets as they look to strengthen defensively. (Football Insider, external)

Chelsea and Spain Under-19 striker Marc Guiu is eyeing a dramatic return to Sunderland during the January transfer window despite the 19-year-old only being recalled from his loan spell at the Black Cats in August. (GiveMeSport, external)

Saudi Arabia beat Indonesia 3-2 while Qatar and Oman end goalless as fourth round of qualifiers begin.

Saudi Arabia have fought back to earn a 3-2 win over Indonesia in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers as Feras Al-Brikan’s double boosted their hopes of securing a place at next year’s finals in North America.

Kevin Diks put Indonesia ahead from the spot in the 11th minute on Wednesday, but Saleh Abu Al-Shamat levelled six minutes later before Al-Brikan scored either side of half-time to secure the points despite a second Diks penalty two minutes from time.

Saudi Arabia next face Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday and know that a win over Graham Arnold’s side will guarantee their place in December’s draw for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Indonesia and Iraq will face one another on Saturday.

The Indonesians went in front when Hassan Al-Tambakhti stuck out an arm as Dean James swung in his free kick from the right and Diks stepped up to clinically place his spot kick beyond Nawaf Al-Aqidi.

The lead was short-lived as Al-Shamat steered his right-footed strike from the edge of the area beyond Maarten Paes’s dive to his left.

With nine minutes left in the half, the home side went in front. Yakob Sayuri’s needless pull on Al-Brikan’s shirt saw referee Ahmad Al-Ali called to the pitch-side monitor, and the Kuwaiti awarded a penalty that Al-Brikan slammed home.

Al-Brikan put the result beyond doubt in the 62nd minute with a clinical close-range finish.

Paes threw himself to his right to keep out Musab Al-Juwayr’s low drive only for Al-Brikan to pounce on the rebound and send the ball back under the body of the Indonesia goalkeeper.

Diks struck again from the penalty spot after Nawaf Bu Washl hit the ball with his arm as he went down in his own area in a tussle with Ole Romeny while Mohammed Kanno’s injury-time red card made for a nervous finish for Herve Renard’s side.

Qatar’s World Cup hopes hit by plucky Oman

Oman kept hosts Qatar at bay to earn a 0-0 draw in the countries’ opening clash in Group A of the fourth round of Asia’s World Cup preliminaries earlier on Wednesday, denting both nations’ hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 finals.

Qatar captain Akram Afif went closest to claiming the points for Julen Lopetegui’s side at Doha’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium when he wastefully steered his shot wide 49 minutes into a tense game of few chances.

The Carlos Queiroz-coached Omanis, who are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, will face the United Arab Emirates on Saturday in the next game in the three-team group. Qatar will take on the Emiratis on Tuesday.

The winners of the group will qualify directly for the finals while the team finishing second advances to a playoff with the runner-up from Group B, which is being played in Saudi Arabia.

Qatar dominated the opening exchanges but struggled to turn that superiority into opportunities. Only midfielder Boualem Khoukhi threatened the Oman goal with a strike from distance in the 13th minute that flew wide of the target.

The Omanis were largely kept on the back foot although Issam Al-Sabhi did fashion an opening in the 27th minute that goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada gathered, and Amjad Al-Harthi steered a header over the bar late in the half.

Afif should have put the hosts ahead soon after the interval when the Omanis gifted him possession in their own half, but the Asian Player of the Year uncharacteristically side-footed his shot the wrong side of the post.

Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Jordan and Uzbekistan have already claimed six of Asia’s eight guaranteed berths at the expanded 48-team finals. A possible ninth spot is available via an intercontinental playoff in March.