AP Sports

Mauricio Pochettino negotiating to succeed Gregg Berhalter as U.S. soccer coach, AP source says

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. Soccer Federation are working toward a deal for him to be the men’s national team coach. Pochettino formerly coached Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. The person says Pochettino has agreed to become the U.S. coach but no final deal has been reached. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn’t complete. Pochettino is a 52-year-old from Argentina. He would succeed Gregg Berhalter, less than 22 months before the Americans host the 2026 World Cup. The USSF declined to comment.

Is freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith the next big thing for No. 2 Ohio State?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jeremiah Smith might be the next big thing for No. 2 Ohio State. The pass-catching prodigy from Miami Gardens, Florida, was the country’s top-rated high school recruit when he signed with Ohio State in December and enrolled early amid a frenzy of hype. Since then, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith has shown flashes of being what everybody expects he’ll be for the No. 2 Buckeyes. He’s impressed coaches and teammates with his work ethic, route-running and acrobatic catches as he goes against the Buckeyes’ experienced defensive backs in preseason practice. Smith is a cousin of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

Yankees’ Aaron Judge becomes fastest to 300 homers, reaching in 955 games to Kiner’s 1,087

CHICAGO (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit his 300th homer, reaching that milestone faster than any other player when he connected against the Chicago White Sox during a 10-2 victory. Judge hit that mark in his 955th game and 3,431st at-bat with a three-run drive in the eighth inning.. The six-time All-Star and 2022 American League MVP drove a 3-0 up-and-in sinker Chad Kuhl into the White Sox bullpen in left for his major league-leading 43rd homer. Ralph Kiner reached 300 homers in his 1,087th game, and Babe Ruth did in his 3,831st at-bat.

Australian Olympic Committee hits out at criticism of controversial breaker Rachael Gunn

SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian Olympic Committee has criticized an anonymous online petition attacking controversial Paris Games breaking competitor Rachael Gunn, saying the petition was “vexatious, misleading and bullying.” Last weekend, the sport made its Olympic debut. One of the lasting images was the performance of an Australian b-girl known as Raygun — 36-year-old Sydney university professor Gunn — who did a “kangaroo dance” among other questionable moves during her routine, and scored zero points. Gunn was subsequently heavily criticized for her performance with parodies even being played out on a late night television show in the United States. But the AOC on Thursday refuted what it said were numerous erroneous stories about Gunn it says have appeared online since.

Indianapolis to host 2025 WNBA All-Star Game with Fever leading league’s surge in popularity

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis will host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse next July. This year’s game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 16,407 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix and the television audience of 3.44 million made it the most-watched WNBA All-Star Game. Indianapolis will host the event for the first time. The All-Star Game will be played July 19. A 3-point shooting contest and skills challenge will be held July 18. The Indiana Fever lead the WNBA in attendance at just under 17,000 per game, fueled by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.

Falcons acquire 4-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from Patriots

The New England Patriots have traded four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round draft pick. Judon had 28 sacks in his first two seasons with the Patriots before having four in four games last year, when he was limited by injuries. Judon became available because of a contract dispute. He has a base salary of $6.5 million this season and is seeking a new deal. The Falcons needed a pass rusher to bolster a defense that hasn’t had a player with double-digit sacks since Vic Beasley had 15 1/2 in 2016.

Chiefs’ starters to play first half against Lions after breaking camp in St. Joseph, Missouri

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs’ starters are expected to play most of the first half of their preseason game against Detroit on Saturday. Coach Andy Reid made that announcement Thursday, adding that it’s possible Carson Wentz will get some snaps with the first-team offense. Reid spoke after the Chiefs concluded their final practice at Missouri Western State University, where they spent the first part of training camp. Reid said right tackle Jawaan Taylor and left guard Joe Thuney probably won’t play against Detroit. The Chiefs open the regular season Sept. 5 against Baltimore.

Wes Schweitzer is the Jets’ 325-pound offensive lineman whose passion is rock climbing

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Rock climbing has become a passion for New York Jets offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound guard is an anomaly in a sport predominantly undertaken by much smaller people. Schweitzer first got into climbing a few years ago early in his NFL career when he was trying to rehabilitate a hyperextended elbow. A trainer suggested he try climbing, he immediately felt better and has been doing it ever since. His widely viewed Instagram posts of his climbing adventures have made him an inspiration to many. Schweitzer plans to continue the sport after his football career is over.

NASCAR revokes Dillon’s playoff eligibility; driver keeps controversial Richmond win

NASCAR has ruled that Austin Dillon’s win at Richmond Raceway will not count toward eligibility for the Cup Series playoffs. Dillon will keep credit for his first victory of the season but his playoff eligibility was revoked Wednesday because of “actions detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR.” Desperate to win for the first time in nearly two years, Dillon sent NASCAR champions Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano into the wall in rapid succession on the final lap to clear a path toward victory.

Buffalo Bills starting linebacker Matt Milano out indefinitely with torn left bicep

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott announced on Thursday that linebacker Matt Milano is out indefinitely and will miss at least the first few months of the season with a torn left bicep in what becomes the starter’s latest setback after missing a majority of last season with a broken leg. McDermott provided the update as the Bills prepared to hold a joint practice with the Steelers, two days before the teams play a preseason game at Pittsburgh. Milano is scheduled to have surgery and, barring complications, has a chance to return by December. Milano was hurt early in practice during a tackling drill on Tuesday, and spent the rest of the session watching from the sideline after being examined by trainers.