Sports

Rams, Chiefs have agreed on a trade sending CB Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles, AP sources say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Chiefs and the Rams have agreed on a trade to send star cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles in exchange for several draft picks, three people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized. Kansas City is expected to get the 29th overall pick in the upcoming draft, and the Rams will also send fifth-round and sixth-round picks this spring along with a third-round pick next year. The deal would fill the Rams’ biggest roster need by adding an elite cornerback to their mediocre secondary.

The victory lap for America’s Olympic hockey champions quietly shed politics from the celebration

NEW YORK (AP) — A joke from Hilary Knight on “Saturday Night Live” and a couple of fist-bumps with Jack and Quinn Hughes on “The Tonight Show” capped a whirlwind victory lap celebrating the twin Olympic golds won by the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams. The good humor helped reset the national narrative around the teams that had gone sideways into politics and sexism after a comment by President Donald Trump. Dozens of people at multiple agencies, leagues and networks spent time coordinating a series of television appearances that put the focus back on their accomplishments in Milan.

Iraq facing World Cup playoff difficulties as Iran war closes embassies and airspace

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s hopes of World Cup qualification are being impacted by the Iran war because players cannot get visas for the playoff tournament in Mexico and the team’s coach is stranded in the United Arab Emirates. The Iraqi soccer federation says, “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.” Iraq is scheduled to play either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico on March 31 for one of the last two qualification places for the World Cup.

Aaron Judge and a loaded US roster hope to dethrone Ohtani’s Japan at the World Baseball Classic

Aaron Judge will captain a loaded U.S. roster at the World Baseball Classic. The Americans are chasing their first title since 2017. The tournament opens Thursday at the Tokyo Dome, then moves into games in Houston, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The U.S. plans to lean on stronger pitching, with Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean lined up to start. Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani. enters as defending champion with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Friday. The Dominican Republic brings a star-heavy lineup. Australia debuts top amateur draft pick Travis Bazzana.

Braves manager says he’s disappointed about Profar but the suspension creates opportunity for others

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss says he’s disappointed but determined to keep a positive outlook after Jurickson Profar’s suspension for the 2026 season. Profar was suspended by Major League Baseball on Tuesday following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug. Profar, an outfielder and designated hitter, was expected to be a regular, perhaps hitting second behind Ronald Acuña Jr., in Atlanta’s lineup. Weiss says the Braves could overcome losing Profar just as they won the 2021 World Series after losing Acuña to a knee injury.

WNBA executive committee meets, Stewart says players still unified amid CBA talks

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Breanna Stewart, who teamed with fellow WNBA star Kelsey Plum on a letter to the players’ association this week expressing concerns about the state of labor talks with the league, says she feels better about where things stand and is convinced players are still unified in what they want in the next collective bargaining agreement. Stewart was part of a call with other members of the players’ executive committee on Tuesday night, hours after the letter that she and Plum wrote to WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson — one where they expressed “serious concerns about how (the union) is handling the current negotiations.”

Wrexham to play Liverpool at Yankee Stadium as part of summer tour

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham will play Liverpool in a friendly match at Yankee Stadium as part of its East Coast tour this summer, and by that time the fast-rising Welsh club will know if it has reached the Premier League. Wrexham has earned an unprecedented three straight promotions and is playing in the second-tier Championship for the first time since the 1980s. Its surge up the English soccer pyramid, documented in the Emmy-winning “Welcome to Wrexham” TV series, began in 2022 with promotion from the non-league fifth division. Wrexham’s three-match tour, announced on Wednesday, begins July 25 against Leeds at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Liverpool game is July 29.

Shohei Ohtani is the show again in Japan for the World Baseball Classic

TOKYO (AP) — It’s officially named the World Baseball Classic. But for the Group C games in Japan, simply call it the world according to Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani’s life-size image is all over the Tokyo Dome, and racks of Ohtani jerseys — about $125 each — dominate the adjacent merchandise center. Japan begins play on Friday against Taiwan with South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic also in the group. Japan is the defending champion and is expected to claim one of the two spots for the quarterfinals in the United States.

Iran player Sara Didar holds back tears responding to a war-related question at Women’s Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Soccer player Sara Didar has expressed the national team’s concern for their families and all Iranians amid the war back home while they’re in Australia competing in the Women’s Asian Cup. Didar has told a news conference on the Gold Coast that the players feel sad and worried for loved ones in Iran. The team stood in silence during the national anthem before its opening loss to South Korea on Monday. They’re playing tournament host Australia at the same stadium on Thursday.

Man United player suspended for making homophobic insult

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has been suspended for six games for making a homophobic insult about an opponent. Fletcher, who is the son of former United player Darren Fletcher, apologized on Wednesday for the incident which dated back to a reserve match last October. The details were published by the English Football Association as part of its latest roundup of disciplinary action this week. The 18-year-old Fletcher was also fined around $2000 and ordered to take part in educational training. Fletcher admitted to calling an opponent a “gay boy” during a game against Barnsley on Oct. 21 when he was sent off.