⚽ USMNT Advances to Gold Cup Final
Diego Luna shined for the USMNT, scoring two goals in the first half to secure a 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinal. The win sets up a final match against Mexico on Sunday evening in Houston.
Luna opened the scoring in the fourth minute, calmly finishing a rebound with his left foot. Eleven minutes later, he demonstrated impressive solo skill, cutting past a defender and firing into the near corner. He now has three goals in his last two appearances.
While the USMNT`s performance wasn`t consistently dominant after the early goals, they managed to hold on for the win. These impactful individual showings are precisely what coach Mauricio Pochettino and the team were hoping for. Luna, a 21-year-old playing professionally for FC Baltika Kaliningrad in Russia, is seizing the opportunity to prove he belongs with the World Cup squad, endearing himself to Pochettino in the process.
- As Pardeep Cattry notes, Luna`s “big balls” add a welcome competitive edge to a USMNT that has faced criticism for its mentality. His recent results match this fearless approach, positioning him as arguably the team`s most compelling rising star. Winning the continental trophy remains the top goal, but Luna`s emergence alone validates Pochettino`s recent tactical experiments.
😄 Sports Highlights and Updates
- Clayton Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts.
- Three teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring Damian Lillard.
- The Mavericks are planning to extend coach Jason Kidd and Frank Vogel is set to join Kidd`s coaching staff.
- Discussion on what`s next for the Bucks.
- Aaron Rodgers is organizing workouts with his Steelers teammates before training camp.
- Breece Hall stated the Jets are not in a rebuilding phase.
- Predictions made for the WNBA All-Star Game reserves.
- Analysis of the best position groups in college football.
- Five-star 2026 wide receiver Cederian Morgan committed to Alabama.
- Five-star 2026 edge rusher Trenton Henderson committed to LSU.
- Additional CFB recruits who are considered impact players.
- The USWNT defeated Canada 3-0.
- Latest results from Wimbledon.
- The 2026 NHL free agency class is expected to be very strong.
😕 Notes of Concern
- Caitlin Clark remains sidelined due to a groin injury.
- Jazz Chisholm expressed dissatisfaction with his defensive role.
- Spencer Schwellenbach was placed on the Injured List with an elbow fracture. The Braves also designated Alex Verdugo for assignment.
- Max Muncy left the Dodgers-White Sox game after a collision at third base resulted in a knee injury.
- Prospects who might be drafted lower than projected in the upcoming MLB Draft.
- Maxwell Hairston has been named in a sexual assault lawsuit regarding an alleged incident from 2021.
- Red Panda suffered a fractured wrist after a fall during a halftime performance.
🏀 Lakers Acquire Deandre Ayton
The Lakers have officially signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year contract worth $16.6 million. Speculation linking Los Angeles to Ayton began immediately after the Trail Blazers announced they were buying out his contract, and the move addresses a significant need at the center position.
Ayton, 26, has achieved a double-double average in each of his seven NBA seasons since being the first overall pick by the Suns in 2018, the same draft where his new teammate Luka Dončić was selected third. Standing 7 feet tall and weighing 252 pounds, Ayton possesses impressive size and a smooth touch around the basket.
He is not without flaws, which contributed to his departures from Phoenix and Portland. His physicality and aggression can be inconsistent, and defensive effort has sometimes wavered. However, this signing was a crucial step for Los Angeles following a quiet start to free agency.
- According to Sam Quinn, Ayton, at his best with Phoenix, was a franchise-level center, capable of strong defense, including against Nikola Jokić in the playoffs, and an effective pick-and-roll partner for players like Chris Paul and Devin Booker. The Lakers wouldn`t typically have the assets to acquire a player of this caliber. If this signing works out, it could significantly impact not just the upcoming season but also the long-term outlook of the Dončić era. Ayton brings an upside that was simply not available through other options.
Our comprehensive free agency tracker continues to provide updates.
🏀 Knicks Expected to Hire Mike Brown
The Knicks are reportedly finalizing details to hire veteran coach Mike Brown. This move sees Brown taking the helm of a team projected to be a top contender in the competitive Eastern Conference.
The coaching transition has been eventful for the Knicks, who dismissed Tom Thibodeau after reaching the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. They also reportedly pursued and failed to secure several other coaching candidates.
Nevertheless, hiring Brown is considered a significant acquisition, not merely a fallback option.
- Most recently, Brown coached the Kings, guiding them to end a nearly two-decade playoff drought in his first season before being dismissed midway through the 2024-25 season.
- Prior to that, he was a key assistant coach for the Warriors, instrumental in developing the defense that defined their dynasty.
- He also held head coaching positions with the Cavaliers and the Lakers.
- Brown won a championship as an assistant coach with the Spurs in the early 2000s.
- His career head coaching record is 305-187 (.599 winning percentage), and he is a two-time Coach of the Year (2009, 2023).
Brown`s credentials are well-established, and James Herbert suggests how he can elevate the Knicks.
- Herbert argues that while Thibodeau brought much-needed stability to the Knicks starting in 2020, Brown`s primary contribution needs to be flexibility. This involves not only diversifying the team`s offensive schemes but also actively experimenting with lineups and game plans. Ideally, Brown will utilize the regular season to test his ideas on optimizing spacing, rebounding, turnover creation, etc., and thoroughly understand the tools at his disposal. Even fans disappointed by Thibodeau`s departure would likely agree that the team prioritized consistency over adaptability during his tenure.
James Borrego, known for his offensive strategies and currently on the Pelicans` staff, is reportedly a target for Brown`s top assistant position.
⚾ MLB All-Star Game Starters Announced
Following two phases of fan voting, Major League Baseball has revealed the starting lineups for the All-Star Game scheduled for July 15th. The participation of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani as the top vote-getters in their respective leagues was previously confirmed. Here are the players who will be starting alongside them:
AMERICAN LEAGUE Starters
- Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
- First baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
- Second baseman: Gleyber Torres, Tigers
- Third baseman: José Ramírez, Guardians
- Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
- Outfielders: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Riley Greene, Tigers; Javier Báez, Tigers
- Designated hitter: Ryan O`Hearn, Orioles
NATIONAL LEAGUE Starters
- Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers
- First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
- Second baseman: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
- Third baseman: Manny Machado, Padres
- Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Mets
- Outfielders: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; Kyle Tucker, Cubs
- Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
📺 Games to Watch Thursday
- ⚾ Twins at Marlins, 12:10 p.m. on MLB Network
- ⚾ Astros at Rockies, 3:10 p.m. on MLB Network
- 🏀 Aces at Fever, 7 p.m. on Prime Video
- ⚾ Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. on MLB Network
- ⚾ Guardians at Cubs, 8:05 p.m. on MLB Network
Jasper Hawthorne