Sports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Former U.S. national team forward Bobby Wood agreed Monday to a one-year contract with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution. The deal includes a 2024 team option. The 30-year-old from Hawaii, selected in stage two of last week’s reentry draft, scored five goals in 31 regular-season appearances with Real Salt Lake

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Now that the Georgia Tech coaching job belongs to him, Brent Key is setting his sights as high as possible. That other Power 5 program in the state? Yep, he thinks the Yellow Jackets can compete against them. With the interim removed from his title, Key

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer BERLIN (AP) — Oliver Bierhoff is the first managerial casualty of Germany’s early World Cup exit after agreeing to resign as managing director of the country’s national soccer teams and academy. The German soccer federation says Bierhoff has agreed to prematurely end his contract. It had been due to

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The World Cup stadium was designed to leave a minimal footprint in the Qatari sand. It’s now due to be dismantled. Stadium 974 played host to seven matches. The one one was Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the last 16 on Monday. Qatar

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Dayton, Purdue and Texas A&M women’s basketball teams have withdrawn from a Las Vegas tournament. Their departures are part of the continuing fallout from a similar event at a Strip resort over Thanksgiving weekend where safety concerns were raised. Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic

By The Associated Press A pair of 6-6 teams will meet in the Quick Lane Bowl. Bowling Green of the Mid-American Conferemce and independent New Mexico State will square off on December 26th. The Falcons of Bowling Green are led by quarterback Matt McDonald, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. The

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have now been rejected for the Hall of Fame by baseball’s writers and several of their peers. Along with Curt Schilling, they were passed over by a 16-member committee considering candidates who shined after 1980. That came after the Baseball

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh sounds doubtful about Lamar Jackson’s availability for Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh. Jackson left the 10-9 win over Denver with a knee injury. Harbaugh said after the game that it was not a season-ending type of injury. On Monday, he provided an update. He described Jackson’s

CHICAGO (AP) — The owner of the Chicago Red Stars says he is selling his stake in the team following an investigation that found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the National Women’s Soccer League. Arnim Whisler’s decision comes two months after the team’s board of directors voted to remove him as chairman

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Neymar scored a goal in his return from injury and Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Neymar converted a first-half penalty for his 76th goal with Brazil and move one shy of Pelé all-time scoring record with

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brian Cashman is staying with the New York Yankees, signing a four-year contract to remain the team’s senior vice president and general manager. The announcement was made at baseball’s winter meetings in San Diego. Cashman had been working on a handshake agreement since early November, when his five-year contract expired. The

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has entered the transfer portal after an up-and-down two seasons as the starter. The school confirmed Uiagalelei’s decision. Uiagalelei was replaced after two series in Saturday’s 39-10 win over North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Coach Dabo Swinney also announced freshman Cade Klubnik would start

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer Patrick McCaffery says Iowa’s meeting with No. 15 Duke at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday is more than just another game to him. The game opens the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader. The event raises funds for cancer research through the V Foundation. McCaffery overcame thyroid cancer as a teenager

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Japan is headed back to the drawing board after making it back to the round of 16. The Japanese reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the fourth time and then lost for the fourth time. This one came in a penalty

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says Justin Verlander has agreed to an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets. The deal reunites the AL Cy Young Award winner with Max Scherzer and gives the Mets a high-profile replacement for Jacob deGrom. The

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have landed Trea Turner, agreeing to a $300 million, 11-year contract with the dynamic shortstop. The deal includes a no-trade clause, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there was

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will not play in the College Football Playoff semifinal game while he continues to rehabilitate a leg injury and prepare for the 2023 NFL draft. The AP Preseason All-American was hurt in the Buckeyes’ opener against Notre Dame and played in just two other games.

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins have placed right tackle Austin Jackson on injured reserve and signed 2013 No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher to address injury issues along their offensive line. Jackson injured his right ankle against Houston in Week 12 and missed Sunday’s loss to

By The Associated Press The NFL will feature three current division leaders playing on Saturday, Dec. 17, highlighted by the Buffalo Bills hosting the Miami Dolphins in a prime-time showdown that could go far in determining who wins the AFC East. The three-game Week 15 Saturday slate will open with NFC North-leading Minnesota hosting Indianapolis,

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian soccer great Pelé will be cheering on his country’s national team on Monday in its World Cup game against South Korea from the hospital, where he is being treated for a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19. “In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Led by Zae Blake’s 20 points, the Green Bay Phoenix defeated the IUPUI Jaguars 68-61 on Monday. The Phoenix improved to 1-7 with the win and the Jaguars fell to 1-8.

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer Cleveland’s linebacking corps took another major hit. Browns starter Sione Takitaki will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a knee ligament during Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans. Takitaki had started the past five games and played solidly for the Browns, who previously lost starters Anthony Walker

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is leaving school early and entering the NFL draft. Richardson is considered more of a long-term project than a slam-dunk prospect. He announced his decision with a lengthy social media post four days after backup quarterback Jalen Kitna was kicked off

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Department of Human Services is changing its demands against retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre in a lawsuit that seeks repayment of misspent welfare money. The funds were intended to help some of the poorest people in the U.S. The department dropped its demand

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — There were no signs of the limp or the swollen ankle that had sidelined Neymar at the World Cup. But there was a goal. Neymar scored from the penalty spot in the 13th minute to help Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals for the eighth straight World

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer stands atop The Associated Press women’s basketball poll with the most appearances all-time, breaking a tie with the late Pat Summitt. VanDerveer’s Cardinal remains No. 2 behind South Carolina. She has spent 592 weeks ranked with Stanford ater 27 weeks in the poll while leading

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is the Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was named the top defensive player for the second straight year. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was picked as coach of the year by the Associated Press Monday after keeping his

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State quarterback Devin Leary plans to enter his name into the transfer portal for his final season of eligibility. Leary tweeted a statement announcing his decision on Monday. He suffered a season-ending injury in October after being named preseason Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. Leary threw for

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer Teenager Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest year-end No. 1 in the history of the ATP computerized rankings. He joins fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal as the first players from the same country to claim the top two spots at the close of a season since Americans Pete Sampras and Michael

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Houston is No. 1 in the NCAA’s initial NET rankings, mirroring the AP Top 25. The Cougars were the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 for the second straight week and took the top spot in the NCAA Evaluation Tool, the primary sorting tool for determining NCAA Tournament teams. Connecticut,

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have waived struggling quarterback Baker Mayfield after the 2018 No. 1 draft pick asked for his release. Mayfield would be subject to waivers and become a free agent if he goes unclaimed. The move does not come as a surprise, because Sam

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer Houston and Texas remain firmly entrenched atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll, while preseason No. 1 North Carolina has dropped out entirely after a fourth straight loss. The Cougars earned 37 of 62 first-place votes in Monday’s poll, extending the program’s first stay at No. 1 since

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The Major League Baseball Players Association has opened its first international office in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the Torre Sarasota Center in Santo Domingo. The MLBPA says the goal is “increasing the level of support provided throughout players’ playing and post-playing careers.”

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer AL WAKRAH, Qatar (AP) — Croatia is going deep at another World Cup, and the team is taking the long route once again. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in Croatia’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout on Monday, securing a return to the quarterfinals for the

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Four Uruguay players have been charged with offensive behavior by FIFA for their angry pursuit of the referee after being eliminated from the World Cup. FIFA says the Uruguayan soccer federation also faces an extra charge of discrimination. The Uruguay team thought it should have been awarded a penalty kick in

By HOWARD FENDRICH and STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writers Nick Bollettieri, the Hall of Fame tennis coach who worked with some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Andre Agassi and Monica Seles, and founded an academy that revolutionized the development of young athletes, has died. He was 91. Bollettieri died Sunday night at home in

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — FIFA has brought disciplinary charges against Serbia for alleged misconduct by players and fans including offensive chants at a World Cup game against Switzerland. Tensions flared in the stands and on the field during Switzerland’s 3-2 win on Friday. It was a rematch of their stormy game at the 2018 World

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer Anthony Davis is healthy. His numbers have never been healthier. And, not coincidentally, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing like the team they expected to be. With 99 points in his last two games — his most ever in a span of two regular-season contests — Davis is doing

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Moroccans in Qatar are feeling the love from across the Arab world ahead of their country’s World Cup clash with Spain on Tuesday. After their own teams were eliminated from the first World Cup in the Middle East, many Qatari, Saudi and Tunisians fans in

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — One Neymar was about to make his return at the World Cup. Another was going home after a short and tumultuous stay in Qatar. The real Neymar has recovered from an ankle injury and was expected to play Monday against South Korea in the round

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The image of a young Pelé celebrating goals and lifting trophies with Brazil’s national team appeared brightly on the shirts, flags and banners of Brazilian fans gathering before the Seleçao’s World Cup match against South Korea. The 82-year-old Pelé remained in a hospital in Sao

By ANTONIO SEMPERE and JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press CEUTA, Spain (AP) — The World Cup knockout game between Spain and Morocco will bring millions of fans on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar together around screens in bars and living rooms to see which country will keep alive its dream of soccer glory. Nowhere

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Jordan Henderson knew exactly who to thank after opening the scoring in England’s 3-0 win against Senegal. Pointing a finger in the direction of Jude Bellingham Henderson charged over to his teammate pressed his face nose-to-nose with the teenager and stared intensely into his eyes

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s precision. Lionel Messi’s vision. The speed and power of the original Ronaldo from Brazil. Kylian Mbappé is bringing soccer to a new dimension. As Messi and Ronaldo play what will likely be their final World Cup there shouldn’t be any more questions over

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Poland heads home from the World Cup as the latest team unable to resist an inspired Kylian Mbappé. The France superstar dominated in 3-1 win over Poland in the round of 16. It meant back-to-back losses against the game’s icons. Lionel Messi and Argentina won

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson can expect plenty of more LPGA faces next year in the QBE Shootout. The tournament is going to a mixed team event. Players were informed of the move at a meeting in the Bahamas. It will be the first time

By KEN MAGUIRE AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) — Kentucky and Michigan finally played their London game, but organizers aren’t exactly running a fast break to get back to the British capital. The Basketball Hall of Fame London Showcase was delayed because of the coronavirus, and then Sunday’s game tipped off an hour before England

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — England forward Raheem Sterling has left the team’s World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to Britain after a break-in at his home. The 27-year-old Chelsea player missed England’s 3-0 victory over Senegal in the round of 16 and it was not known if he

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The leader of the United Arab Emirates is making a surprise visit to Qatar during its hosting of the World Cup. It’s his first since leading a yearslong four-nation boycott of Doha over a political dispute that poisoned regional relations. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2027 Asian Cup after India withdrew its bid. The Asian Football Confederation issued a statement Monday saying the All Indian Football Federation had withdrawn from the host selection process. No reason was published. The bids from India and Saudi Arabia had been shortlisted

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts have allowed one of the highest-scoring fourth quarters in NFL history. The Colts lost four turnovers in the fourth quarter of a 54-19 loss to Dallas. The Cowboys scored 33 points in the fourth quarter. They are one

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dallas safety Malik Hooker had no idea what he was starting with a fumble return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter against his former team. The 38-yard TD return was part of a 33-point fourth quarter that turned a close game into

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Daniel Akin scored 19 points off of the bench to help lead Utah State past San Francisco 82-64 on Sunday night. Akin shot 8 of 10 from the field and 3 for 5 from the line for the Aggies (7-0). Max Shulga scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Taylor Funk

By ERIK GARCÍA GUNDERSEN Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jerami Grant scored 28 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Indiana Pacers 116-100 on Sunday night. Blazers star Damian Lillard scored 21 points and had six assists in his first game since returning from a calf strain he suffered on Nov. 19. Anfernee

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Kenny Pickett tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Connor Heyward, Matthew Wright kicked four field goals and the Pittsburgh Steelers made it two wins in a row for the first time this season. They held off the Falcons 19-16 before thousands of towel-waving fans in Atlanta.

By MARK LUDWICZAK Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Jack Quinn scored twice to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Sunday night. Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka, Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch also scored for Buffalo, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 26 saves. The Sabres scored three times in the second period

SEATTLE (AP) — Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. says he will return to the school for his sixth and final season of eligibility in 2023. Penix announced his decision on social media and it was a surprising one at that. Penix was the national leader in passing this season, throwing for 4,354 yards and led

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Moments after Fred McGriff was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, almost two decades after his final game, he got the question. Asked if Barry Bonds belonged in Cooperstown, a smiling McGriff responded: “Honestly, right now, I’m going to just enjoy this evening.” A

DENTON, Texas (AP) — Bowl-bound North Texas has fired coach Seth Littrell, who went 44-44 over seven seasons. University president Neal Smatresk says the decision to make the move came after a thorough assessment of the program. The Mean Green are 7-6 after losing 48-27 to UTSA in the Conference USA championship game Friday night.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Graham Mertz is entering the transfer portal after spending the last three seasons as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback. Mertz announced Sunday on social media he was entering the portal “in pursuit of my next opportunity.” His move comes one week after Wisconsin hired former Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell to head its program.

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — Derek Carr completed two long touchdown passes to Davante Adams in the third quarter to rally the Las Vegas Raiders to a 27-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. That performance backed an aggressive defense that sacked Justin Herbert five times. The Raiders won their

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 55 points on sizzling 22-of-30 shooting and added 17 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers over the Washington Wizards 130-119. After scoring 44 points against Milwaukee in his previous game, Davis came close to his career-high of 59 against Detroit in 2016. Davis was 2 of 3 on 3-pointers

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Desmond Cambridge Jr. scored 19 points and Arizona State used a late run to beat Stanford 68-64 for the Sun Devils’ sixth consecutive win. Stanford used a 13-2 run early in the second half and later a 10-2 spurt that gave the Cardinal their first lead since 2-0 when Michael Jones

By JEFFREY BERNSTEIN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and the New York Knicks snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 92-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. The Knicks never trailed in the contest as they held an opponent under 100 points for the first time

By DAVE HOGG Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — Ja Morant scored 21 of his 33 points in the third quarter and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons 122-112 on Sunday night. Morant added 10 assists to help Memphis win for the fourth time in five games. Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. each scored

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Boo Buie scored 20 points and Northwestern beat No. 20 Michigan State 70-63 on Sunday night in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Chase Audige added 15 points and Ty Berry had 13 for Northwestern (6-3). Mady Sossoko and A.J. Hoggard each had 12 points for Michigan State (5-3)

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — DK Metcalf caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith with 36 seconds to play and the Seattle Seahawks overcame an inspired performance by Bobby Wagner for a 27-23 victory over the spiraling Los Angeles Rams. Smith passed for a career-high 367 yards and threw

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The status of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams for the Cotton Bowl is uncertain. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley says the likely Heisman Trophy finalist has a significant hamstring injury. Williams got hurt on a run in the first half of USC’s loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game Friday. He

By CAMERON SALERNO Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Malik Monk scored 20 points off the bench and the Sacramento Kings overcame Zach LaVine’s 41 points to beat the Chicago Bulls 110-101. Domantas Sabonis had 11 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for the Kings. Monk has scored 20 or more points six times this

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, Samaje Perine rushed for a season-high 106 yards and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in their first meeting since the Bengals prevailed in last season’s AFC championship game. Patrick Mahomes and

By AL LESAR Associated Press KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Olivier Nkamhoua scored 20 points and No. 13 Tennessee flexed its defensive muscles in a lopsided 94-40 victory over Alcorn State on Sunday night. The Volunteers also got double-digit production from Julian Phillips, Jahmai Mashack, Uros Plavsic, Tyreke Key and Zakai Zeigler. Dominic Brewton led the

By ARNIE STAPLETON and PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writers BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Part politician, part preacher and part pitchman, Deion Sanders fired up a crowd of alumni, boosters, former players and other VIPs celebrating his hire as Colorado’s coach on Sunday. He spewed motivational sayings that he promised will soon adorn the walls inside

By BRIAN J. PEDERSEN Associated Press TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Azuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo combined for 42 points and 19 rebounds, and No. 4 Arizona bounced back from its first loss by holding off winless California 81-68. Tubelis had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Ballo made 7 of 10 shots en route to

The Associated Press Wyoming (7-5, Mountain West) vs. Ohio (9-4, MAC) Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m. ET, Barstool LOCATION: Tucson, Arizona. TOP PLAYERS Wyoming: QB Andrew Peasley 1,388 yards, nine touchdowns, eight interceptions; RB Titus Swen 1,039 yards, eight touchdowns. Ohio: QB Kurtis Rourke 3,256 yards, 25 touchdowns, four interceptions. NOTABLE Wyoming: Craig Bohl is the

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Brock Purdy threw two touchdown passes after replacing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers used another dominant defensive performance to beat the Miami Dolphins 33-17 for their fifth straight win. Garoppolo has a broken foot and will miss the

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Morgan Barron and Mark Scheifele scored a pair of quick goals in the third period and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Barron scored at 13:23 for a 3-2 lead. Scheifele followed up with his team-leading 13th goal of the season at 15:12. Saku Maenalanen and Nate Schmidt each

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jaylen Clark and freshman Amari Bailey scored 14 points each and No. 21 UCLA rallied in the final four minutes to hold off Oregon 65-56 on Sunday for its fourth straight win. The Bruins improved to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12. They hadn’t