PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Angel Yin birdied three of her final four holes on the front nine to hel...

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<p>PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) — Angel Yin birdied three of her final four holes on the front nine to help set up an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA Thailand tournament.</p>
<p>The American had a three-round total of 21-under 195 at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course.</p>
<p>Sponsor invite Akie Iwai of Japan, who led after the first two rounds, shot 71 and dropped into second place. She stumbled with her first bogey of the tournament on the ninth hole.</p>
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<p>The event is the first stop of the LPGA's so-called Asian swing before the tour moves to Singapore and China over the next two weeks.</p>
<p>The 26-year-old Yin's best finish in four previous appearances at LPGA Thailand was a share of third place in 2021.</p>
<p>"Off the tee, I wasn’t hitting it as well as the last two days, but I got away with some good lies and managed to capitalize on my opportunities,” said Yin, ranked No. 17.</p>
<p>The California native is chasing her second LPGA title after winning the Buick LPGA Shanghai in 2023. She is a two-time major runner-up — at the 2023 Chevron Championship and the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open.</p>
<p>Local stars Moriya Jutanugarn and Jeeno Thitikul each posted a 69 to sit at 201, a stroke behind Iwai. Both are looking to improve their best home-soil results — Jutanugarn finished tied for second in 2018, while Thitikul was the lone runner-up in 2021.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP golf: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golf">https://apnews.com/hub/golf</a></p>
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CHON BURI, THAILAND - FEBRUARY 22: Angel Yin of the United States plays her approach on hole 7 during the third round of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2025 at Siam Country Club on February 22, 2025 in Chon Buri, Thailand.

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Angel Yin moves into 3rd-round lead at LPGA Thailand

MIAMI (AP) — Authorities have made an arrest in the theft of three luxury cars from a home where ...

<p>MIAMI (AP) — Authorities have made an arrest in the theft of three luxury cars from a home where Miami quarterback Carson Beck and basketball player Hanna Cavinder were staying.</p><p>Tykwon Anderson, 20, was arrested Thursday afternoon. He's one of four men accused of stealing the vehicles, including a Lamborghini, according to an arrest report.</p><p>Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple's home early Thursday morning. Beck and Cavinder told investigators that someone stole a silver Mercedes-Benz AMG, a red Lamborghini Urus and a white Range Rover while they were asleep.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Police recovered the Mercedes-Benz and Range Rover within several hours, but they were still searching for the Lamborghini.</p><p>Just before 3 a.m. Thursday, Anderson and three other masked men arrived at Beck's home, police said. One of the men was able to break into a vehicle parked in the driveway and use the garage door opener to get into the house and steal the keys to all three cars.</p><p>The alleged thieves used a rental car registered to Anderson to drive to Beck’s home, authorities said. Investigators said they used the rental car’s tracking data to find Anderson and place him at the scene of the theft.</p><p>Anderson has been charged with grand theft, vehicle theft and burglary. He was being held at the Miami-Dade jail with no bail immediately set. Online court records didn't list an attorney for Anderson.</p>

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 7: Carson Beck #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up prior to the game against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Arrest made in theft of luxury cars from Miami athletes Beck, Cavinder

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An apparently light slap earned Colombia forward Jhon Duran a straigh...

<p>RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An apparently light slap earned Colombia forward Jhon Duran a straight red card in just his fourth match for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.</p><p>Duran was signed in January from Aston Villa for a reported 64 million pounds ($80 million) and scored four goals in his first two league appearances.</p><p>But on Friday in stoppage time, while play seemed to have stopped, he appeared to give a glancing slap to the back of the head of Ettifaq midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki. Al-Malki dropped and rolled on the ground.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The referee issued a red card despite the protests of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.</p><p>Al-Nassr lost to Ettifaq 3-2, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak, and leaving the team eight points behind leader Al-Ittihad, which has a game in hand.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</p>

Nassr's Colombian Forward #9 Jhon Duran reacts during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on February 7, 2025.

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Duran sent off in 4th Saudi Pro League game for head slap

FREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Kiliann Sildillia scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Freiburg st...

<p>FREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Kiliann Sildillia scored with a spectacular overhead kick as Freiburg strengthened its push to qualify for the Champions League for the first time after beating Werder Bremen 5-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday.</p><p>When the ball deflected high into the air at a corner in the 15th minute, Sildillia lined himself up below it to hit a daring shot which left Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer little chance.</p><p>Vincenzo Grifo scored twice to extend Freiburg's lead, one direct from a free kick, the other to finish off a rapid counterattack, and Ritsu Doan added two more late in the game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It was the fourth win in a row for Freiburg and the team's largest margin of victory in a Bundesliga game since 2021.</p><p>Bremen was 10th in the 18-team Bundesliga after its third straight loss.</p><p>Bremen had a chance to get back into the game with a penalty for handball at 2-0 down. Andre Silva's shot was saved by Noah Atubolu to leave Silva without a goal since joining Bremen on loan from Leipzig on Feb. 3.</p><p>Freiburg moved up one spot to fourth, overtaking Leipzig, which can retake the place with a win over Heidenheim on Sunday.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</p>

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 21: Kiliann Sildillia of Sport-Club Freiburg celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and SV Werder Bremen at Europa-Park Stadion on February 21, 2025 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

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Freiburg flatten Werder Bremen to move into 4th place

While Major League Soccer has a crop of players new to the league this season, many of the key fi...

<p>While Major League Soccer has a crop of players new to the league this season, many of the key figures from last season are back.</p><p>Some, like Jesus Ferreira and Lucho Acosta, are with new teams. Others, like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, are looking to build on last season’s successes.</p><p>Some players to watch in the 30th MLS season, which kicks off Saturday:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Lionel Messi, Inter Miami</h3><p>The reigning MLS MVP played a part in 36 goals — scoring 20, assisting on 16 others — while missing 15 games because of injury or national team duty. He led Inter Miami to the Supporters Shield and best regular season record in MLS history. Oh, and he’s a World Cup winner with Argentina and has won both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best honor eight times. Enough said.</p><h3>Christian Benteke, D.C. United</h3><p>A Belgium international, Benteke had 23 goals last season, outscoring Messi, Luis Suarez and LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga, who all had 20. Benteke signed with D.C. United in the summer of 2022 after stints with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace. A two-time MLS All-Star, he’s scored 38 goals in his time with D.C. United.</p><h3>Evander, FC Cincinnati</h3><p>The Brazilian forward was acquired by Cincinnati for $12 million in a cash-for-player deal with the Timbers. Evander had been unhappy in Portland and made it clear with social media posts. He scored 15 goals last season and tied for the league lead with 19 assists. He was a finalist for MLS MVP and was named to the league’s Best XI team.</p><h3>Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union</h3><p>Just 15, Sullivan is perhaps one of the hottest prospects in MLS. He signed a homegrown contract with the Union last year that stipulates a transfer to Manchester City when he turns 18. Sullivan played in three matches with Philadelphia’s first team last year. He broke Freddy Adu’s record as the youngest player to appear in an MLS match by 13 days.</p><h3>Josef Martinez, San Jose Earthquakes</h3><p>The 31-year-old Venezuelan has landed in San Jose, which is playing this season under coach Bruce Arena. Martinez came to the Quakes as a free agent after spending last season with Toronto FC, where he finished with 13 goals. San Jose hopes Martinez can recapture some of his magic from 2018, when he was MLS MVP and the Golden Boot winner with league champion Atlanta United.</p><h3>Jesus Ferreira, Seattle Sounders</h3><p>Seattle acquired the MLS and U.S. men’s national team veteran in a trade with FC Dallas. Signed by Dallas as a homegrown player in 2016, he played played in 163 regular-season MLS games with the team, scoring 53 goals with 34 assists. The 24-year-old was on the squad that played for the United States at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.</p><h3>Olivier Giroud, LAFC</h3><p>The former Chelsea and Arsenal forward still has not scored in a regular-season match since joining LAFC last July from AC Milan. Over the course of the 38-year-old’s pro career, he has scored 285 goals in 716 matches. He’ s got a record 57 goals for the French national team and was on the squad that won the World Cup in 2018. At his age and with his experience, he provides LAFC with veteran leadership.</p><h3>Luis Suarez, Inter Miami</h3><p>Suarez joined Messi, his former teammate at Barcelona, last season and scored 20 goals. He was a finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year. He’s also 38, but has a bond with Messi from their days together in Spain. He’s also made 143 appearances for Uruguay’s national team, with 69 goals.</p><h3>Luciano Acosta, FC Dallas</h3><p>Dallas paid about $5 million to FC Cincinnati for Acosta in a cash-for-player swap. Acosta, the 2023 MLS MVP, was Cincinnati’s franchise leader with 54 goals and 72 assists after joining the club in 2021. Acosta was a key to Cincinnati’s turnaround after the club finished last its first three seasons.</p><h3>Hirving Lozano, San Diego FC</h3><p>The marquee player on Major League Soccer’s 30th team, Lozano was San Diego’s first designated player signing last June. A 28-year-old native of Mexico City, Lozano has also played for Pachuca in Liga MX and Italian club Napoli. He also has 18 goals in 70 appearances with the Mexican national team and played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.</p><p>___</p><p>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</p>

CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Luciano Acosta #10 of FC Cincinnati speaks with Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami prior to a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match at TQL Stadium on August 23, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Acosta, Ferreira, Messi among MLS players to watch in 2025

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes had a stellar spring training debut for...

<p>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Four-time All-Star Corbin Burnes had a stellar spring training debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, striking out all three Colorado batters he faced.</p><p>The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner needed 16 pitches to retire Brenton Doyle, Kyle Farmer and Ryan McMahon, and even got some help from the new Automated Ball-Strike System.</p><p>Catcher Gabriel Moreno asked for a review on a low fastball to Farmer that was called a ball, and the call was overturned for strike three after replay showed it just caught the bottom of the strike zone. Burnes' looked to be in good shape with a fastball that approached 95 mph.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Burnes in a surprise signing a $210 million, six-year deal with the D-backs in December. In retrospect, the partnership wasn't that odd — Burnes lives in the Phoenix area and has a young family that he wants to be around as much as possible.</p><p>Burnes, who turned 30 in October, was 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA last year for Baltimore, which acquired him from Milwaukee in a trade. He's been an All-Star in each of the past four seasons.</p><p>Manager Torey Lovullo said he's not sure who will be the team's opening day starter on March 27 against the Chicago Cubs, but the obvious candidates are Burnes and Zac Gallen, who has been one of the top pitchers in the NL over the past three seasons.</p><p>“It'll be a tough conversation for me, not for them,” Lovullo said. “From what I'm learning about Corbin and what I know of Zac, I think they would understand and move aside for the other and support that decision wholeheartedly.”</p><p>The D-backs could have a deep starting rotation with Burnes, Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery all viable options. </p><p>__</p><p>AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a></p>

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Corbin Burnes #39 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 19, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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Burnes strikes out all 3 batters in spring training debut with D-Backs

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo had surgery to repair a broken bone i...

<p>LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo had surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand and will miss the start of the regular season.</p><p>Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Baddoo got more tests done after some continued wrist soreness since the start of spring training. Those tests revealed the hamate hook fracture in his right hand that was surgically repaired Thursday.</p><p>The 26-year-old Baddoo, who has been with the Tigers since 2021, is at spring training as a non-roster player. He was designated for assignment in December after Detroit signed veteran right-hander Alex Cobb to a $15 million, one-year contract. Baddoo cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Cobb is expected to miss the start of the season after an injection to treat hip inflammation that developed as the right-hander was throwing at the start of camp. He has had hip surgery twice.</p><p>Baddoo hit .137 with two homers and five RBIs in 31 games last season. The left-hander has a .226 career average with 28 homers and 103 RBIs in 340 games.</p><p>After the Tigers got him from Minnesota in the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings in December 2020, Baddoo hit .259 with 13 homers, 55 RBIs, 18 stolen bases and a .330 on-base percentage in 124 games as rookie in 2021. Those are all career bests.</p><p>Baddoo went into camp in a crowded outfield. The six outfielders on Detroit's 40-man roster include three other left-handed hitters (Riley Green, Kerry Carpenter and Parker Meadows) and switch-hitter Wenceel Pérez. The other outfielders are right-handers Matt Vierling and Justyn-Henry Malloy.</p><p>___</p><p>AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/">https://apnews.com/</a></p>

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 15: Akil Baddoo #60 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Thursday, August 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Tigers' Baddoo to miss start of regular season with broken hand

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Clinton Portis, who rushed for just under 10,000 yards over nine NFL seasons a...

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<p>DOVER, Del. (AP) — Clinton Portis, who rushed for just under 10,000 yards over nine NFL seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been named <a href="https://apnews.com/article/delaware-state-desean-jackson-4da876aa24019863663728cf1eb478c1">DeSean Jackson's</a> running backs coach and run game coordinator at Delaware State.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGQ7J1RSY6s/?hl=en">Hornets announced Portis' hiring</a> on social media Thursday. Portis joins Jackson, Norfolk State coach Michael Vick and Tennessee State coach Eddie George as former NFL stars to take jobs at historically Black universities. Deion Sanders coached at Jackson State before heading to Colorado.</p>
<p>Portis, who played on Miami's 2001 national championship team, was 2002 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,508 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Denver Broncos. He was traded to Washington in 2004 and had four 1,000-yard rushing seasons before the team released him after the 2010 season.</p>
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<p>In 2022, Portis was sentenced to six months in federal prison and six months in home detention after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Portis was among 15 former NFL players who admitted to defrauding an NFL program set up to reimburse medical expenses not covered by insurance for retired players and their families.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p>
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LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Former Washington Redskins player Clinton Portis attends the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Commanders on September 10, 2023 at Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD.

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Ex-NFL star Portis joins DeSean Jackson's staff at Delaware State

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi is trying to convince new signing Amine Gouiri that he can becom...

<p>Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi is trying to convince new signing Amine Gouiri that he can become one of the best strikers in Europe.</p><p>Gouiri scored two outstanding goals and played a part in the other three when Marseille routed Saint-Etienne 5-1 in Ligue 1 last Saturday. Gouiri also has three assists in the three games he's played since joining from Rennes for 22 million euros ($23 million) in the January transfer window.</p><p>"He is not entirely aware of his strengths, the qualities he has. I try to give him this self-belief," De Zerbi said Friday ahead of Marseille's Ligue 1 game at Auxerre on Saturday. "He reminds me of the great No. 9s, like Gonzalo Higuain, in terms of his movement, of making the team play. Amine has everything to be one of the best European center forwards, he just has to believe in it."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 24-year-old Gouiri, who now plays for Algeria, was considered one of the biggest prospects in French soccer when he was the tournament's top scorer with France at the European Under-17 Championship in 2017. One year later he suffered a serious knee injury playing for Lyon.</p><p>After leaving Lyon for Nice, he joined Rennes in the summer of 2022 for 28 million euros ($29.3 million), scoring a career-high 15 league goals that season.</p><p>He's comfortable in a central striker's role but can also ghost in from wide left or probe from deep, making his runs very difficult for defenders to read. Gouiri's silky play also makes him easy to combine with on rapid attacks.</p><p>Maybe that's also the problem.</p><p>De Zerbi thinks Gouri's wide repertoire and natural versatility could be working against him, and that he now needs to fine-tune his game to become a pure finisher.</p><p>"He has the qualities of a No. 10 (playmaker)," De Zerbi said. "But in front of goal he must have the efficiency of a nine, he must always position himself well in relation to the goal."</p><p>Marseille is second in Ligue 1 and trails unbeaten leader Paris Saint-Germain by 10 points.</p><p>___</p><p>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</p>

Marseille's French forward #09 Amine Gouiri celebrates after he scored his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and AS Saint-Etienne at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on February 15,2025.

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De Zerbi thinks new Marseille signing Gouiri could become top striker

Former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams is hoping to get a WNBA franchise in Boston whether it'...

<p>Former NBA player Michael Carter-Williams is hoping to get a <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">WNBA</a> franchise in Boston whether it's through expansion or being a destination for a current team that wants to move.</p><p>He's part of The Boston Women’s Basketball Partners group that is spearheading the initiative. The group hasn't submitted a bid to the WNBA although they've talked with the company that the league hired to handle the expansion bids process.</p><p>“The main objective is to get a team in Boston,” Carter-Williams said in a phone interview Thursday. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an expansion team or a team that wants to sell and move to Boston.”</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Carter-Williams said his group has all their “ducks in a row” when it comes to where it would play and practice facility space. Now, he said, they just need a franchise.</p><p>Boston hosted a sold out WNBA game last year when the Connecticut Sun played a contest at the TD Garden — home of the Boston Celtics. Another regular-season game will be played at TD Garden this year when Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take on the Sun. </p><p>Carter-Williams said his group would “absolutely” be interested if the Sun were up for sale. But that's a big if since it seems there has been no discussion about the Mohegan Tribe selling the team.</p><p>“It's something we would consider, but there’s not too much noise going on right now,” Carter-Williams said. “We want to be the most prepared for any option.”</p><p>The deadline to submit an expansion bid was Jan. 30, so acquiring a current team would be the most direct path for his group have a WNBA franchise in Boston.</p><p>The WNBA has already announced three expansion teams that will start play over the next two years with Golden State beginning this season and Toronto and Portland starting in 2026. The league has said it would add a 16th team to begin play in 2028.</p><p>Several cities already have submitted bids, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Houston and Nashville and there is a chance the WNBA could go beyond 16 teams sooner rather than later. Here's a look at some of the interested cities:</p><p><strong>Cleveland expansion bid</strong></p><p>The Ohio city's ownership group is led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. A report from the Sports Business Journal said it was “likely” <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cleveland-rockers-expansion-13bb17a95978f897a333794422f1e77f">for Cleveland</a> to get the next expansion team, although the deal isn't done yet.</p><p>“While we are very optimistic about the competitive WNBA bid that we have submitted, we have not received any confirmation from the league about their finalists,” a spokesman for the Cleveland group said.</p><p>The WNBA Board of Governors have not taken any formal vote yet on a 16th team, said a person familiar with the process. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.</p><p><strong>Nashville expansion bid</strong></p><p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-wnba-candace-parker-summitt-0e9e23e9edbe77f378b1657b552b0ff9">Nashville</a> contingent is led by the chairman of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, Bill Haslam, and his wife, Crissy. The couple has lined up a group of investors including Candace Parker, Peyton Manning and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.</p><p>Unlike other franchises, the Nashville group already has a name for its franchise — the Tennessee Summitt — in honor of the late Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt.</p><p><strong>Charlotte, Detroit and Houston expansion bids</strong></p><p>Three cities that previously had WNBA franchises are looking to get back into the women's game.</p><p>Bids by groups in Charlotte, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/detroit-pistons-bid-1a2a6540aa7e294452ccf3070cf790c7">Detroit</a> and Houston are led by the NBA owners in those cities. The Detroit bid is led by Pistons owner Tom Gores and includes Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Detroit Lions; the chief executive officer and chair of General Motors Company; Hall of Famer and former NBA rookie of the Year Grant Hill.</p><p>Tilman Fertitta, the owner of the Houston Rockets, submitted a bid for a WNBA franchise with the team potentially playing at the Toyota Center. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA titles before the franchise disbanded in 2008.</p><p>The Charlotte Hornets are supporting an effort to bring the Sting back.</p><p><strong>Kansas City, Austin and St. Louis expansion bids</strong></p><p>Celebrity athletes are lending their star power to WNBA bids in several cities, including Patrick Mahomes getting involved in Kansas City's expansion hopes; Jayson Tatum with St. Louis and Kevin Durant in Austin, Texas.</p><p>“Obviously, we want to get basketball in Kansas City in general,” Mahomes said in October. The Chiefs quarterback also has ownership stakes in the Royals and MLS club Sporting Kansas City. “You talk about the University of Kansas basketball, the Chiefs, whatever it is, the city is going to come out to the stadium. It’s cool we were able to get the women’s soccer team here and you see the support they have.”</p><p>Durant spoke Wednesday in Austin about WNBA expansion as his Phoenix Suns were set to play a game against San Antonio at the University of Texas, where he played in college.</p><p>“It’s a basketball city,” Durant said. “We’ve always had major, major support here for women’s basketball. We have one of the greatest coaches and greatest players to come through here. Our women's coach now is one of the greatest, we got a great young talent in (Madison Booker) out here. All down the line, I just think this city is primed for basketball, especially women’s basketball at the highest level.”</p><p><strong>Philadelphia expansion bid</strong></p><p>The Philadelphia 76ers put in a bid and with a new sports complex on the way there which would house the NBA team as well as the Flyers. Having another city on the east coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.</p><p>___</p><p>AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a></p>

MEXICO CITY, MEX - OCTOBER 29: Michael Carter-Williams #11 of the Mexico City Capitanes poses for a portrait during 2023-24 G League Media Day on October 29, 2023 at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

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Boston group led by former NBA player hoping to land WNBA franchise

While the main attraction is still Lionel Messi, it’s perhaps fitting that for Major League Socce...

<p>While the main attraction is still Lionel Messi, it’s perhaps fitting that for Major League Soccer’s 30th season the league is welcoming its 30th team.</p><p>Led by winger <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chucky-lozano-mls-soccer-10e86a7ee3c39d8b2ff11decae7c5274">Hirving “Chucky” Lozano</a>, San Diego FC is among the teams to watch this year, along with the expansion club’s first opponent, the defending MLS champion LA Galaxy. And, of course, Inter Miami.</p><p>Miami has sold out its season tickets as fans clamor to get an in-person look at Messi and fellow former Barcelona standouts Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Miami will be looking to again finish atop the Eastern Conference and repeat as Supporters Shield winners. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-mls-mvp-b16dbc1aa316b4b130a7e142a82db758">Messi, the league’s reigning MVP</a>, should once more be a top candidate. But the Herons’ 2024 season was marred when they were surprisingly eliminated by Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.</p><p>“We had broken the points record, but football is not about awards, it’s about what you do on the field,” Suarez said at the league’s media day. “We were the best team the entire regular season, we needed to show that in that playoff game against Atlanta, and we didn’t. We have to learn from that and be reminded that nobody gives you anything. It was very difficult to achieve what we did all season, but we are left with a bittersweet feeling.”</p><p>LAFC, the West’s top seed, fell in the conference semifinals to the Seattle Sounders.</p><p>The Galaxy won their sixth overall MLS Cup title last season with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mls-cup-galaxy-red-bulls-score-691dda52fac25cdbf401e81d0e917554">a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls</a>, a dramatic turnaround for a team that finished 26th in the league the year before. But the Galaxy embark on this season without dynamic midfielder Riqui Puig, who injured his ACL in the playoffs.</p><p>The addition of the San Diego balances MLS at 15 teams per conference. The league’s newest club is owned by billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe in the country to have an ownership stake in a professional soccer team. The team’s first season kicks off on Sunday.</p><h3>Turnover at the top</h3><p>There are 12 coaches embarking on their first full seasons in 2025. Notable among them is Gregg Berhalter, the former U.S. men’s national team coach <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-fire-gregg-berhalter-c49ef2a2c474517bd3c9b2be3988144e">who is now leading the Chicago Fire.</a></p><p>In perhaps one of the most shocking coaching moves in the offseason, the Philadelphia Union dismissed Jim Curtin, a two-time MLS coach of the year who had spent 11 seasons with the team. He was replaced by Bradley Carnell, a former St. Louis coach.</p><p>Inter Miami’s coach, Geraldo “Tata” Martino, departed the club in November for personal reasons after one season. He was replaced in days <a href="https://apnews.com/article/inter-miami-messi-mascherano-36a35d437714f748f7e9ea9c9850d343">by former Argentina great Javier Mascherano,</a> another Messi teammate at Barcelona.</p><p>And finally, the San Jose Earthquakes brought in the league’s all-time winningest coach, Bruce Arena, after the club finished last in the standings with only six wins.</p><h3>Coming and going</h3><p>MLS clubs were bullish in scooping up international talent in the offseason. Some of the notable additions were striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, who joined Atlanta from Middlesbrough, and Kévin Denkey, who arrived in Cincinnati from Cercle Brugge.</p><p>Perhaps the biggest departure was Cucho Hernandez, who left the Columbus Crew for Spanish club Real Betis. Austin FC sent midfielder Sebastián Driussi to Argentine team River Plate for a reported $10 million fee. Sporting KC transferred Alan Pulido to Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara.</p><p>Within the league, the Sounders <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mls-jesus-ferreira-sounders-0b928e87cd24873030c886de465525ec">scored Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas</a>, while Dallas got Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati. The Timbers sent Brazilian midfielder Evander to Cincinnati, while Houston picked up Jack McGlynn from Philadelphia.</p><h3>Busy season</h3><p>It will be a busy season for MLS teams, with a number of tournaments in addition to the regular season.</p><p>Miami and the Sounders will get international attention as the league’s two participants in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-explainer-messi-mbappe-f5419625b8e10e2ccf9ff32b9f92fc68">FIFA Club World Cup</a>. The event for an expanded field of 32 international clubs will be played across the United States from at June 14 to July 13.</p><p>The league will take a bit of a break during the tournament. At the same time, some players players will be with their national teams for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.</p><p>There’s also the U.S. Open Cup, the Leagues Cup with teams from both MLS and Liga MX, and the CONCACAF Champions Cup. MLS teams can only participate in two tournaments to help alleviate the load on the players.</p><h3>Building toward the World Cup</h3><p>The United States, Mexico and Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup and MLS is hoping to capitalize as soccer’s biggest tournament looms.</p><p>The addition of Messi has already brought new attention to MLS. Attendance at games last season hit a league record 12.1 million, second only to the English Premier League. Five MLS teams are now valued at $1 billion each.</p><p>MLS is in the third year of a media deal with Apple TV, but there have been concerns about audience growth on the streaming service. Viewership numbers have not been made available.</p><p>This year Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass is available to Comcast and DirecTV subscribers — still at a fee but accessed via those platforms. Season Pass is also free for a season to T-Mobile phone service customers.</p><p>“Over the next two years, North America will be the epicenter of global soccer, our league, our clubs, our players and our fans are all committed to working together on this path to the world’s biggest sporting event,” Commissioner Don Garber said during his state-of-the-league address in December. “We have an unbelievable opportunity to create this great trajectory and create even more momentum as we continue to grow our sport and our league for the years to come.”</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/soccer</a></p>

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 19: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup first leg match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami at Sporting Park on February 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Kansas.

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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Susanna Tapani scored on a breakaway with 47 seconds remaining in overtime...

<p>OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Susanna Tapani scored on a breakaway with 47 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Boston Fleet a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Charge on Thursday night.</p><p>The Charge dominated in the overtime period but Tapani broke free in her own end and outskated Ottawa’s defenders before beating goalie Emerance Maschmeyer.</p><p>Tereza Vanisova tied the game for the Charge with 2.9 seconds left in the third period after Ronja Savolainen scored the first Charge goal with 3:33 left in regulation.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>With eight minutes to play in the game, several punches landed between Vanisova and Boston’s Jill Saulnier, but they were handed just a roughing minor each.</p><p>Theresa Schafzahl and Alina Muller scored first-period goals for Boston.</p><p>Aerin Frankel finished the game with 21 saves for the Fleet while Maschmeyer turned aside 27 shots.</p><p>Schafzahl opened the scoring at 8:18 as she took a pass from Ottawa native Jamie Lee Rattray and beat Maschmeyer glove side with a shot from the slot.</p><p>Just under eight minutes later, the Fleet went up 2-0 as Muller went five-hole on Maschmeyer on a short-handed partial breakaway.</p><p><strong>Key stat</strong></p><p>Five of the seven meetings between these teams have been decided by one goal, including both this season, both Fleet wins.</p><p><strong>Up next</strong></p><p>The Charge host the Montreal Victoire on Saturday.</p><p>The Fleet will be up next on the Takeaway Tour when they will be in Buffalo, New York, to face the New York Sirens on Sunday.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP Women’s Hockey: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey</a></p>

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 20: Emerance Maschmeyer #38 is backed up by Aneta Tejralova #2 of the Ottawa Charge while making a pad save on Shay Maloney #27 of the Boston Fleet during the third period of their PWHL game at The Arena at TD Place on February 20, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario.

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Fleet hold off Charge in overtime victory

The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship ...

<p>The anthem singer who performed the Canadian anthem prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night changed a lyric in “O Canada” as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about making the country the 51st state.</p><p>Publicist Adam Gonshor in an email to The Associated Press confirmed Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from “in all of us command” to “that only us command” and confirmed Trump’s 51st state comments were the reason why. During Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told the AP she did it “because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”</p><p>“I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being,” she added. “I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself.”</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, also wrote the phrase “that only us command” with mascara on her left hand. She posted a picture of that on her Instagram with emojis of a Canadian flag and a flexed muscle.</p><p>“I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it,” Kreviazuk said. “I’d love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. ... Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it’s awesome. That’s what it should be about.”</p><p>The NHL declined comment on the situation.</p><p>Fans in Boston lightly booed the song, though it was soon drowned out by Kreviazuk’s singing. The crowd in Montreal booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to U.S. tournament games at Bell Centre last week, more vociferously before the team faced Canada.</p><p>Tensions have risen between the neighbors and longtime allies over the past several weeks as Trump since being inaugurated has suggested multiple times that Canada become the 51st U.S. state, in relation to a trade dispute, and threatened a series of tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that will never happen.</p><p>The subject of Canada becoming the 51st state was brought up Thursday during a news conference with David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister.</p><p>“Sounds like President Trump is worried about the outcome of the hockey game,” McGuinty said. “Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter.”</p><p>Trump called the U.S. team prior to their morning skate Thursday to wish players luck in the game. Players told reporters in Boston it was an honor to hear from him, with defenseman Noah Hanifin saying, “Hopefully we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump.”</p><p>___</p><p>Whyno reported from Washington. Freelancer Jim Morris contributed.</p><p>___</p><p>AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL</p>

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 20: A general view of the atmosphere during the Canadian national anthem prior to the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Canadian anthem singer at 4 Nations protests Trump's 51st state remarks

While the offseason may not have seen some of the splashy moves of the recent past, Major League ...

<p>While the offseason may not have seen some of the splashy moves of the recent past, Major League Soccer clubs did add some notable new international talent, along with some familiar faces from the past.</p><p>Atlanta United made arguably the biggest moves, signing both striker Emmanuel Latte Lath for a league record fee and bringing back Miguel Almirón from Newscastle.</p><p>Of course, there were also big moves out of MLS, like Cucho Hernandez, who was sent to Spanish club Real Betis for $16 million after two-plus seasons with the Columbus Crew.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It makes sense that MLS teams were active globally during FIFA’s winter transfer window, because it occurs in the MLS offseason when clubs are busy building rosters.</p><p>However, some international clubs in the thick of their seasons may be unwilling to part with players — which has helped spur <a href="https://apnews.com/article/major-league-soccer-messi-5d7b985d860ec0f928cb26f49a3891e4">increasing calls to shift the MLS season.</a></p><p>The league opens its 30th season on Saturday. Some significant new players to watch:</p><h3>Emmanuel Latte Lath, Atlanta United</h3><p>Atlanta landed Latte Lath from English club Middlesbrough for a reported league record fee of $22 million. He had 29 goals in 67 appearances over two seasons with the second-division team. He was the top scorer in the second-tier Championship during the 2023-24 season with 16 goals. The 26-year-old Latte Lath will be with Atlanta through 2028 with an option for 2029.</p><h3>Kevin Denkey, FC Cincinnati</h3><p>Cincinnati spent $16.2 million to acquire the forward from Cercle Brugge in November. The 23-year-old Denkey, who is from Togo, was the top scorer in the top Belgian league in the 2023-24 season with 27 goals. He signed a designated player contract with Cincinnati through 2028 with an option for 2029.</p><h3>Brandon Vazquez, Austin FC</h3><p>Vazquez is not a necessarily a new face because he used to play with FC Cincinnati. Austin signed the 26-year-old striker to a four-year deal from Mexican club Monterrey in January. He scored 14 goals over the past two years in Liga MX. He returns to MLS after spending four seasons with Cincinnati from 2020-23. He has also played for the U.S. men’s national team.</p><h3>Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, New York Red Bulls</h3><p>The 35-year-old forward from Cameroon signed a two-year deal with the Red Bulls as a free agent in December. He won three Bundesliga titles and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020 in his four years with Bayern Munich, but was out of contract with the team last summer. He’ll occupy a designated player spot and is expected to provide leadership on a team that went to the MLS Cup final last year.</p><h3>Wilfried Zaha, Charlotte FC</h3><p>Zaha is on loan to Charlotte from Turkish club Galatasaray until next January, with an option to extend through June. Zaha is known for his 10 seasons in the Premier League, including stints with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff. He played the bulk of that time at Crystal Palace, where he scored 90 goals and had 52 assists over nine seasons.</p><h3>Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano, San Diego FC</h3><p>The league’s newest team signed Lozano as the club’s first designated player last June. The winger remained with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven before joining San Diego last month. Lozano had six goals and three assists in 24 matches with PSV during the 2023-24 season. A 29-year-old native of Mexico City, Lozano has also played for Mexican team Pachuca and Italian club Napoli, as well as the Mexican national team.</p><h3>Jonathan Bamba, Chicago Fire</h3><p>The winger was acquired from Spanish club Celta Vigo for a transfer fee reported at $2 million. He is signed through 2028 and is a designated player for the Fire. He scored three goals in 39 appearances over the last two seasons with Celta. Before that, he was with French club Lille. He’s also played with Ivory Coast’s national team, and was on the squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations last year.</p><h3>Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United</h3><p>Not exactly new to the league, but Almirón returns to Atlanta via a reported $10 million transfer from English club Newcastle. Almirón left Atlanta in 2019 to join the Premier League team. His best season with Newcastle came in 2022-23, when he scored 11 goals. Overall, he had 30 goals and 22 assists in 223 appearances in all competitions while in Europe. Almirón was the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year and helped Atlanta win the MLS Cup in 2018.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a></p>

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Miguel Almirón of Newcastle United FC (24) arrives for the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at St James' Park on January 15, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

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MLS teams actively picked up international talent ahead of new season

BRUSSELS (AP) — The second leg of the Europa League playoff between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was...

<p>BRUSSELS (AP) — The second leg of the Europa League playoff between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was briefly suspended due crowd trouble on Thursday.</p><p>The problems took place shortly after Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Fenerbahce in the fourth minute.</p><p>The Turkish team had won the first leg 3-0 and was on course to reach the round of 16.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The match was suspended “due to security issues,” UEFA said. Riot police were deployed and play resumed after several minutes.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a></p>

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 20: Fans of Anderlecht are seen after the referee suspends the game due to unappropriated behaviors among the spectators during the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off football match between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce at Lotto Park in Brussels, Belgium on February 20, 2025.

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Europa League game in Brussels briefly suspended due to crowd trouble

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz lost for just the second time this year on Thursday ...

<p>DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz lost for just the second time this year on Thursday when 25th-ranked Jiri Lehecka beat him 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.</p><p>Alcaraz's only other defeat in 2025 was to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals. The 21-year-old Spaniard, ranked No. 3, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alcaraz-indoor-title-minaur-rotterdam-8403c79709fc26d12156eb22ef979a30">won the Rotterdam Open</a> earlier this month.</p><p>The 23-year-old Lehecka, who is from the Czech Republic, will next face either eighth-seeded Jack Draper or Matteo Berrettini.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"The match was up and down since the beginning," Lehecka said after beating Alcaraz. "So for me to win a match like that against a player like this is a super big achievement. I believed in myself. I knew that I had the level to produce that kind of tennis.</p><p>"I didn't back down," he continued. "I wanted to push him to his limits. The way I trusted my game was the key today."</p><p>Earlier, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev saved one match point and needed eight of his own to subdue second-seeded Alex de Minaur 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8). Rublev reached his fourth semifinals in Doha, where he won the title in 2020.</p><p>He'll next face Canada's Félix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Daniil Medvedev when the Russian retired after losing the first set 6-3.</p><p>"Unfortunately, I had food poisoning. Very disappointed to end my run here in Doha like this as I feel like I was playing well," Medvedev said in a statement.</p><p>Auger-Aliassime said on court he thought Medvedev was "playing normal" until he retired.</p><p>"And then I broke, I held my serve. And he just told (the umpire) that he didn't want to shake our hands because he was sick. I hope it's nothing too bad. I was surprised," the Canadian said.</p><p>____</p><p>AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a></p>

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 20: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jiri Lehecka (not seen) of Czechia compete during the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2025 Tennis Tournament Men's quarter final match organized by Association of Tennis Professionals at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar on February 20, 2025.

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Alcaraz dealt 2nd loss of year in quarterfinal upset at Qatar Open

Paulo Dybala struck twice in four minutes as Roma beat Porto 3-2 to reach the Europa League round...

<p>Paulo Dybala struck twice in four minutes as Roma beat Porto 3-2 to reach the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.</p><p>Dybala returned from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fenerbahce-porto-roma-europa-league-819d19da3cb53d58672fc75559ebe300">a knee injury</a> sustained in the first-leg 1-1 draw a week ago in Portugal, and Roma advanced on a 4-3 aggregate score.</p><p>Porto went ahead thanks to Samu’s acrobatic volley over his shoulder to take a 2-1 aggregate lead but Dybala started the comeback with an equalizer in the 35th with a left-footed shot inside the far post. The second clinical finish came from inside the area to the near post.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Porto’s hopes were dented when Stephen Eustáquio was sent off after getting a red card only six minutes into the second half.</p><p>Substitute Niccolò Pisilli added the third before another substitute Devyne Rensch’s own goal in stoppage time.</p><p>Roma, the 2022 Conference League champion, will next play either Lazio or Bilbao.</p><p>The game between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce was briefly suspended due to crowd trouble in Brussels. The problems took place shortly after Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Fenerbahce in the fourth minute. The Turkish team had won the first leg 3-0. After a 2-2 draw, Fenerbahce advanced 5-2 on aggregate.</p><p>The match had been suspended for “security issues,” UEFA said. Riot police were deployed in the stands and play resumed after some 15 minutes.</p><p>Alkmaar advanced after a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray that saw the Dutch club reach the next round on a 6-3 aggregate score.</p><p>Alkmaar got goals from Seiya Maikuma and Denso Kasius before Victor Osimhen struck for the Istanbul club. Roland Sallai’s equalizer salvaged at least a draw on the night for the hosts.</p><p>Alkmaar is set to face either Manchester United or Tottenham next.</p><p>Romanian team FCSB beat PAOK 2-0 to progress on a 4-1 aggregate score.</p><p>Norway’s Bodø/Glimt scored twice in extra time to beat Dutch side Twente 5-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate. Three goals in stoppage time sent the match to extra time where goals from substitute Sondre Brunstad Fet (111th) and an own from Arno Verschueren (114th) confirmed the win. The Norwegian team is amid a winter break that will not end until the start of the domestic league on March 29.</p><p>Luka Sučić’s first-half double led Real Sociedad to a 5-2 victory over 10-man Midtjylland and to the round of 16 on a 7-3 aggregate score to next play either Tottenham or Manchester United.</p><p>Viktoria Plzen overcame a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to beat Ferencvaros 3-0.</p><p>Ajax’s 2-0 advantage against Saint-Gilloise was erased in the first half as the Dutch powerhouse was reduced to 10 with Davy Klaassen sent off. Substitute Kenneth Taylor converted a spot kick three minutes into extra time for Ajax to advance.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Round of 16 set ✅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/qWv3kkDUEf">pic.twitter.com/qWv3kkDUEf</a></p>— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague/status/1892708518685233440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The eight winners of the playoffs will be unseeded teams in Friday’s draw and will host the first-leg games on March 6.</p><p>The top eight in the 36-team league standings — Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiacos and Rangers — had made straight the round of 16. They will host second legs on March 13.</p><h3>Conference League</h3><p>In the third-tier Conference League, Real Betis was reduced to 10 men eight minutes before time and conceded a winning goal from Gent but still advanced thanks to its 3-0 victory in the first leg.</p><p>Molde was also down to 10 from the final minute but went on to prevail in a penalty shootout over Shamrock Rovers after winning 1-0 in Dublin.</p><p>Copenhagen edged European newcomer Heidenheim 3-1 in extra time to make the next round 4-3 on aggregate.</p><p>Pafos advanced after beating Omonoia an all-Cypriot matchup 2-1 following a 1-1 draw a week ago.</p><p>Bosnia’s Borac held Olimpija 0-0 in Ljubljana to advance 1-0 on aggregate.</p><p>Panathinaikos is into the next round with a 2-0 victory over Víkingur Reykjavík on 3-2 aggregate. Jagiellonia beat TSC 6-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 home win. Celje upset APOEL 2-0 at home and has advanced.</p><h2>___</h2><p>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a></p>

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 20: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the goal to make it 2-1 during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between AS Roma and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on February 20, 2025 in Rome, Italy.

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DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Davis will be sidelined at least two more weeks with the groin injury susta...

<div>
<p>DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Davis will be sidelined at least two more weeks with the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-anthony-davis-injury-2c27a6a8c7096d1cdc61976165e241e2">groin injury sustained in his Dallas debut</a>, while the Mavericks said Thursday their star forward is making good progress in his recovery.</p>
<p>Davis was dominant in the first half of his only game with the Mavericks against Houston on Feb. 8, but pulled up lame late in the third quarter of Dallas' 116-105 victory.</p>
<p>The 10-time All-Star had missed his last two games with the Lakers because of an abdominal injury before the seismic trade that sent fellow superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. Davis then sat the first two games he could have played for Dallas before suiting up against the Rockets.</p>
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<p>The groin injury only intensified criticism of Dallas general manager Nico Harrison over a trade that infuriated many Mavericks fans.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a></p>
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DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks walks up the court against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 08, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.

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AD out at least 2 more weeks, making good progress with groin injury

Duke coach Jon Scheyer is "optimistic" that versatile forward Maliq Brown will return this season...

<p>Duke coach Jon Scheyer is "optimistic" that versatile forward Maliq Brown will return this season <a href="https://apnews.com/article/maliq-brown-shoulder-duke-uva-032f364b1e42690039ef022617dc8450">from a shoulder injury</a>.</p><p>The 6-foot-9 junior was hurt after playing just 10 minutes in the third-ranked Blue Devils' win at Virginia on Monday. He appeared to injure his left arm reaching into a passing lane to deflect a ball, and had his arm in a sling afterward.</p><p>Scheyer said Thursday that medical imaging had found nothing unexpected with what he described as a dislocated shoulder. The Blue Devils (23-3, 15-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) step out of league play to face the Big Ten's Illinois in New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We're optimistic that we can get him back this season," Scheyer said in a virtual call with reporters. "I think the hardest part is, a lot of it has to do with his stability, which right now he's pretty sore still. So we have to see how much time that takes."</p><p>Scheyer said Brown won't play "in the next week or so at minimum" and estimated he'd be out a few weeks. Duke has just five games left in the regular season.</p><p>Brown, a transfer from Syracuse, averages just 2.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. But his value has gone beyond raw numbers; his ability to switch and defend multiple positions off the bench has been a key piece of a defense that ranks fourth nationally in KenPom's adjusted efficiency metrics by allowing 90.9 points per 100 possessions.</p><p>Brown had recently returned from a four-game absence because of a knee injury.</p><p>"We need him back, fully healthy," Scheyer said.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a></p>

CLEMSON, SC - FEBRUARY 08: Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) during a college basketball game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Clemson Tigers on February 8, 2025, in Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C.

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Duke's Scheyer 'optimistic' Brown can return from shoulder injury this season

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Andrey Rublev saved one match point and needed eight of his own to subdue Alex...

<p>DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Andrey Rublev saved one match point and needed eight of his own to subdue Alex de Minaur 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8) in the Qatar Open quarterfinals on Thursday.</p><p>The tortuous journey to the win prompted Rublev to joke about de Minaur, "I wanna punch him."</p><p>The Russian fifth seed wasted a 5-2 lead in the last set against the Australian second seed, who forced the tiebreak with remarkable scrambling.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>But after 2½ hours, Rublev was through to his fourth semifinals in Doha, where he won the title in 2020.</p><p>He'll next face Canada's Félix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Daniil Medvedev when the Russian retired after losing the first set 6-3.</p><p>____</p><p>AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a></p>

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 7: Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrating during Day Five of the ABN AMRO Open at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 7, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Rublev needs 8 match points to beat De Minaur in Qatar Open quarterfinals

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