Sports

US men’s hockey team visits Trump at the White House on its way to his State of the Union

The gold-medal-winning U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team landed at Joint Base Andrews and visited President Donald Trump at the White House before attending his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. Forward Matthew Tkachuk posted pictures on social media of members of the team celebrating on what appears to be a U.S. government plane. The U.S. beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The team received a State of the Union invitation from Trump following the game. The women’s team also won gold over Canada. They declined a State of the Union invite, citing scheduling issues.

Mexican cartel clashes fuel worries in lead-up to FIFA World Cup

TAPALPA, Mexico (AP) — The violence that followed the killing of a cartel leader in Mexico is fueling fears that the bloodshed could hurt tourism ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year. Maria Dolores Aguirre’s corner store has lived off the tourism that flows into her cobblestoned town of Tapalpa in the mountains of Mexico’s state of Jalisco. Then the Mexican army killed the country’s most powerful drug lord Sunday just a few kilometers from her home. The killing sparked a surge in violence and put the country on edge. Now Aguirre and others are worried that the clashes between the cartel and security forces will hurt their livelihoods.

Portuguese soccer federation monitoring situation in Mexico ahead of friendly in March

LISBON (AP) — The Portuguese soccer federation says it is monitoring the situation in Mexico amid a surge in violence ahead of its friendly against the Mexican national team in March. The federation says it is “closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico” following the killing of the country’s most powerful drug lord by the Mexican army on Sunday. The killing sparked a surge in violence and put the country on edge. The World Cup warmup match is scheduled for March 28 at the renovated Azteca Stadium. The venue is scheduled to host the opening match of the World Cup on June 11.

US women’s gold medal-winning team declines invitation from Trump to attend State of Union address

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. women’s hockey gold medal-winning team has politely declined an invitation from President Donald Trump to attend his State of the Union address on Tuesday. In a statement, the U.S. women’s team said it was “sincerely grateful for the invitation” but would be unable to attend “due to the timing.” Trump also invited the U.S. men’s gold medal-winning team. Scheduling will be a challenge as the NHL schedule resumes with five games on Wednesday and the PWHL resumes on Thursday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of both teams.

Tiger Woods nearing decisions on whether to play in the Masters and be Ryder Cup captain

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiger Woods has a few big decisions facing him next month. Getting most of the attention is whether he will play in the Masters. But he also is facing what has been described to The Associated Press as a soft deadline to be Ryder Cup captain. He’s the top choice. But the PGA of America is hopeful of getting an answer sooner rather than later so it doesn’t wait to long like it did last time. Key to these decisions is what occupies most of Woods’ time. He’s the chief architect in the biggest overhaul of the PGA Tour schedule.

Jets plan to use a tag on Hall, while futures for Walker and Montgomery remain uncertain

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The New York Jets don’t plan to let running back Breece Hall hit the open market at the start of the league year, while the futures of other top running backs such as Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and David Montgomery remain more in flux. Jets general manager Darren Mougey said at the NFL scouting combine that the team plans to use either the franchise tag or the transition tag on Hall before the deadline on March 3. Seattle general manager John Schneider wouldn’t commit to tagging Walker, while Detroit could be open to trading Montgomery.

Raiders describe traits they want in franchise QB but remain silent on Mendoza as NFL combine opens

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek never uttered the name Fernando Mendoza while speaking at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. He didn’t need to. As Spytek ran through the list of traits he needs in a franchise quarterback, it seemed he was using the same words and phrases so often used to describe Mendoza by his college teammates during last season’s Heisman Trophy campaign. Selecting Mendoza only seems natural for the team holding the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft.

Falcons GM confirms the team has told QB Kirk Cousins he’ll be released when free agency opens

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have informed quarterback Kirk Cousins they plan to release the 14-year veteran when free agency opens. New general manager Ian Cunningham made the announcement at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Cousins played two seasons with the Falcons and started 22 of 34 games. He signed a $180 million contract before they drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in 2024. The 37-year-old Cousins is 88-77-2 as a starter with Washington, Minnesota and Atlanta. He would have his 2027 salary fully guaranteed if he were on the roster by the third day of the new league year.

Champions League playoffs: Atletico Madrid finally sees off Club Brugge, Bodø/Glimt eyes upset

MILAN (AP) — A hat trick by Alexander Sorloth helped Atletico Madrid finally shake off Club Brugge and advance to the Champions League round of 16. The Spanish giant won 4-1 to complete a 7-4 aggregate victory. But the wide margin on the night didn’t tell the full story of Brugge’s resilience over two legs. A 3-3 draw in Belgium last week had seen Brugge come back from two goals down and then level again in the 89th minute. In the second leg in Madrid it fought back once more after Sorloth fired Atletico in front in the 23rd. Joel Ordonez leveled 13 minutes later.

Left-hander Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves agree to contract adding $27 million for 2027 season

ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a contract adding $27 million for the 2027 season. A 36-year-old who won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award in his first season with Atlanta, Sale agreed to a deal that includes a $30 million team option for 2028. Atlanta acquired Sale from Boston in December 2023 and he agreed to a reworked $38 million, two-year contract that included an $18 million club option for 2026. The Braves exercised the option in November. Sale is 25-8 with a 2.46 ERA in 49 starts and one relief appearance with the Braves. He made the All-Star team twice, raising his total to nine.