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TOKYO (AP) — The best place to develop Japanese talent is in the English Premier League, the president of the Japan Football Association told continental soccer delegates Wednesday.

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, speaking at an Asian Football Confederation seminar and regional meeting, emphasized the goal of getting more Japanese players to sign in Europe — particularly England.

“We have nine players who are playing for Premier League clubs and also eight players are playing for second division clubs,” he told the seminar. “But still, we would like to send more players to the English Premier League because the league offers the players the best environment to become top-class players. That’s our aim.”

Miyamoto was a defender and led Japan's 2002 and 2006 World Cup teams.

Infantino traveling in the region

Gianni Infantino, the president of soccer's global governing body FIFA, is seeking his fourth term and has been globetrotting in search of votes from FIFA’s 211 member federations.

The AFC has 47 member associations that could provide crucial swing votes with Europe largely opposing Infantino and Africa offering wide support.

Infantino is traveling in Asia and was expected to appear at the two-day meeting of the AFC in Tokyo. FIFA has promoted his presence recently in Bhutan and Bangladesh, small federations that each have one vote — the same as powerful soccer nations such as Spain or France.

The FIFA presidential election is in March and opposition candidates have until Nov. 18 to declare. None has so far filed.

Infantino apologized last week in Zurich, Switzerland, to FIFA’s 37-member ruling council — which he chairs — for “mistakes’ he made in assembling a now-scrapped $4.2 billion sell-off plan for the World Cup.

An Associated Press tally shows 87 of the 211 federations have indicated support for Infantino — either in individual comments or by endorsing statements of support by their regional confederations. Asia appears split. Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup, has come out in support of Infantino and Jordan has declared its opposition.

The AFC meetings are largely closed to the media. The conference is being shown on the AFC's YouTube channel.

Infantino is not listed among the official speakers at the summit. The closing address Thursday is by AFC president, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Nkunku discusses Leipzig future amid Milan loan and targets France return under "legend" Zidane

During the summer, Christopher Nkunku returned to the club where he previously spent four years, joining RB Leipzig on a season-long loan from AC Milan.

In an interview with Sport Bild, the Frenchman spoke about how happy he is to be back and admitted that he could see himself staying beyond the end of the season, although he stressed that it's still early to discuss his future.

“I’m very happy. I feel very comfortable in the city and at the club. I know everything here from my previous time. It’s a special place for me,” Nkunku said. 

"I experienced some very significant moments in my career and my life in Leipzig and with RB. I really enjoyed those four years. I can also feel how much the fans love me, and I sense that family atmosphere. That’s important to me.

“We’ve only just got the start of the season behind us," he added when asked whether he could see himself staying at RB Leipzig beyond the summer.

"There are also several parties involved in these discussions. Above all, the clubs would have to reach an agreement at the end of the season. So it doesn’t depend on me alone. But of course, I can very easily imagine staying longer.”

In the interview, Nkunku also spoke about his “clear goal” of returning to the French national team, having last represented his country in November last year.

“Dream” isn’t the right word. But it’s now my clear goal. At the level I’m playing at, you want to represent your country, too. I’ve already been part of the national team. Now I want to get back there," Nkunku said.

The prospect of playing under his childhood idol Zinedine Zidane as France coach only adds to Nkunku’s motivation

“Zidane is a legend. He’s the greatest footballer France has ever had. Everyone here loves him. And when I was a little boy, he was one of my biggest role models. I remember the 2006 World Cup in Germany. We idolised Zidane for what he achieved throughout his playing career.”

Bulinews.com spoke to Nkunku in Leipzig last month about a range of topics. Read the interview here.

Man Utd make decision on selling injury-prone Red who’s awaiting first start in almost a year

Manchester United reportedly have no plans to part ways with Matthijs de Ligt during their defensive revamp, despite his 11-month-long injury layoff.

The centre-half is in line to feature tonight for the first time since November 2025, after which he sustained a back problem that required surgery to correct.

Matthijs de Ligt on verge of long-awaited return

(Photo via ManUtd)

It means Michael Carrick has had to navigate his entire reign with one fewer option at the back, so he’ll undoubtedly welcome having the experienced Red at his disposal in the coming weeks.

De Ligt has been training this week in preparation for tonight’s clash with Como, though Carrick is navigating a depleted squad for matchday three of the Champions League.

Ayden Heaven, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez were all absent from Tuesday’s open training session at Carrington, as well as Leny Yoro due to his suspension, which has prompted concerns from supporters over how the side may fare.

De Ligt to stay put next summer

(Photo via club media)

Ahead of De Ligt making his return to action, MailSport has revealed that United are preparing for a future with him playing a key role.

The 27-year-old is under contract until 2029, having signed a five-year deal when he signed from Bayern Munich in 2024, and the club have the option of extending his stay by an additional 12 months.

Meanwhile, counterparts Martinez and Harry Maguire are out of contract at the end of the season, with only the former’s terms containing a one-year option.

However, there is uncertainty over the Argentine’s future and whether INEOS will trigger the clause following his outburst in Madrid last week, which saw him express his disdain for the board’s lack of investment.

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2027 NFL Draft QB rankings: Trinidad Chambliss set for major test vs. Texas appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There wasn’t much movement among the top quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft during a wild Week 7 in college football, but we did learn a lot about many of the top names in the class.

No. 1 quarterback Drew Mestemaker continued to show off his incredible arm talent in a high-scoring loss to Houston on Saturday night, but it wasn’t all perfect. While the throws he did make were awe-inspiring as usual, some of his recklessness with the ball did show up, and it is going to cost the Cowboys in the Big 12 title race.

Trinidad Chambliss played another great game from the pocket in a 31-3 win over Missouri, while Austin Simmons was under fire all day from the Ole Miss defense. C.J. Carr nearly led Notre Dame back from a late deficit in a loss to BYU, while Darian Mensah had to go back and forth against a talented Florida State defense in an epic double-overtime win.

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Ohio State’s Julian Sayin also dropped out of the top 10 this week, as a lot of his flaws showed up in an ugly win over Indiana. Sayin was rattled by the Hoosiers’ pressure, and as a result he was late to see a lot of what was happening downfield. When he’s even a tick off, his lack of arm strength amplifies the problem. Sayin also suffered an elbow injury that may keep him out for the rest of the season.

Arguably the biggest draft-related storyline coming out of Week 7 is Arch Manning. Once again, Manning had his moments in a loss to Florida on Saturday, but his tape is still littered with misfires and mental mistakes that are costing the Longhorns games. There will be a floor that Manning will reach in his prospect profile because of his physical tools, but seeing him play like this week after week is concerning at best.

How far did Manning fall, and where do the rest of the top quarterbacks stack up coming out of a wild Week 7? Let’s get into the list.

1. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma StateTroy Taormina-Imagn Images

Last week: 1

Mestemaker can make throws that nobody else in this draft class can, point blank. His throw moving to his left against Houston to set the Cowboys up in the red zone was truly special and is a perfect example of why he is the top QB prospect in this class at the moment.

Drew Mestemaker oh my goodness

He did the Zach Wilson Pro Day throw in a live game pic.twitter.com/JGzIe48e3r

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 18, 2026

Mestemaker isn’t a perfect prospect, which is to be expected for someone who has only been playing the position for a few years now. His ball security, both handling the ball in the pocket and decision making when throwing down the field. But he continues to grow and carry this Oklahoma State offense, and he stays as a rock-solid No. 1 as a result.

2. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Last week: 2

Chambliss didn’t use his legs much on Saturday in a win over Missouri, but he didn’t have to. Week in and week out, Chambliss continues to showcase his development as a pocket passer. He is unafraid to push the ball down the field and attack between the hashes, and it unlocks the entire field for this Ole Miss offense.

Now, Chambliss has his toughest test yet. While all the discussion about Texas has centered around the inconsistencies of Manning and the offense, the Longhorns’ defense has been one of the best in college football. Colin Simmons, a projected top-10 pick and the nation’s sack leader, isn’t expected to play in this game, but Chambliss still has his work cut out for him.

3. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)

Last week: 4

Mensah had been dinking and dunking for a lot of 2026 to this point, but it was bombs away in a 43-35 double-overtime win over Florida State. Mensah looked the way of Malachi Toney early and often in this game, and his out-of-structure playmaking was on display as well. Overall, the Duke transfer finished 23-of-34 with 326 yards and three touchdowns with an interception.

4. C.J. Carr, Notre DameRob Gray-Imagn Images

Last week: 5

Carr wasn’t perfect on Saturday night against BYU, and his game will likely be remembered for his costly blunder on a failed spike at the end of the first half that cost the Irish points. But the second half was an admirable showing from Carr, who led the Irish down the field multiple times in obvious passing situations in a hostile environment against a very good defense. Carr isn’t going to wow you with his athleticism, but his ability to stand in the pocket and make throws makes him a clear first-round prospect.

5. Arch Manning, Texas

Last week: 3

I’m not even sure where to start with Manning at this point. The talent is there, and it was again in the loss to Florida on Saturday when he made one of the plays and throws of the year to help chip into Florida’s late lead. But, as he did against Oklahoma, he dug Texas into that hole with careless turnovers, bad decisions and too many empty plays caused by his poor processing.

It’s hard to parse the difference in the Steve Sarkisian offense over the last few years. Quinn Ewers had easy throw after easy throw all over the field, while Manning feels like he gets nothing open outside of the screen game. How much of that falls on Sark, and how much falls on Manning for not seeing the game clearly?

6. Austin Simmons, Missouri

Last week: 6

Simmons’ tape didn’t look nearly as bad as the 31-3 score on Saturday, but it was still a struggle for he and this Missouri offense against Pete Golding and the Rebels. The Ole Miss transfer is still a pure pocket passer, and while you would like to see him use his athleticism a little bit more at times, there aren’t many in this class with the level of arm that Simmons has.

7. LaNorris Sellers, South CarolinaJeff Blake-Imagn Images

Last week: 8

Sellers didn’t play in Week 7, but the signs he continues to show as a passer and a processor from the pocket are very encouraging when you pair them with what he is as an athlete. If Sellers continues to build on this, which isn’t a given considering his history, he could continue to rise up these rankings. Things will get a little bit tougher for Sellers and the South Carolina offense on Saturday when they take on a Tennessee defense that completely shut down both Texas and Alabama in recent weeks.

8. Dante Moore, Oregon

Last week: 7

Moore still hasn’t played since his concussion, and it’s unclear when he might return to the field for an Oregon team that desperately needs him. The Ducks have very slim playoff hopes that they are still clinging to, but they need Moore back out there in order to reach them.

9. Jayden Maiava, USC

Last week: 10

Maiava and USC also had the week off in Week 7, but they continue to hang around in the CFP race on the back of a quietly excellent season from the senior quarterback. If Maiava wants to move up this list, he will have to prove it over the next few games. USC goes on the road to Madison to take on a much-improved Wisconsin team on Saturday before a game against Ohio State on Halloween.

10. Drake Lindsey, MinnesotaMatt Krohn-Imagn Images

Last week: NR

Lindsey has one of the best arms in this draft class, and he continues to win games at Minnesota despite not having a whole lot of help around him on offense. His ceiling remains unclear due to limited athleticism, but Lindsey’s pro-style background and his great physical traits will make him a high floor pick in the mid-to-late rounds this spring.

Next five: Julian Sayin (Ohio State), CJ Bailey (NC State), Brendan Sorsby, Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), Sam Leavitt (LSU)

Related: Georgia HC Kirby Smart reveals Gunner Stockton actually has shoulder injury, not concussion

Related: Urban Meyer backs Jon Sumrall as coach to bring Florida back to college football summit

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ ex-teammate LeSean McCoy reiterated his lifelong Philadelphia 76ers fandom after watching the team pick up a 106-100 win over the New York Knicks.

The 76ers have got their 2026-27 season campaign off to a winning start by defeating the defending champions and establishing their credentials as contenders after a major offseason reshuffle.

While many have the 76ers pegged as favourites after the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, McCoy has gone a step further with a bold prediction after watching the first win of the season.

76ers win has LeSean McCoy dreaming of the NBA Finals

McCoy was tuned into the 76ers vs. Knicks clash on opening night, watching his 76ers have success over the Knicks and then predicting them to make it to the 2026 NBA Finals.

“Ain’t no way you can stop us… SIXERS BOUND (FOR) FINALS.”

This was an impressive performance by the 76ers, led by Tyrese Maxey’s 28 points on 9-for-19 shooting, with new addition Jaylen Brown contributing 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. LeBron James scored 14 points with nine rebounds and seven assists in his debut with the franchise.

The Knicks’ offence came to a sputtering halt in front of a spirited 76ers defensive performance, with Jalen Brunson’s 21 points on 6-for-19 the best scoring performance. Karl-Anthony Towns had a solid night with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but seemed underutilised with a 6-for-9 shooting performance.

McCoy is a Philadelphia-area legend and is the all-time rushing yards leader for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He’s a Philadelphia native who was drafted by his hometown NFL team, and roots for the 76ers with just as fierce a passion.

McCoy and Mahomes were teammates for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV win in 2019, and then played opposite Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, winning it with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mahomes’ expense.

Read more:

• ‘JUCO ball written all over him’ – Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan shares harsh verdict on Bronny James
• ‘Still the second option’ – NBA fans call out Jayson Tatum after Paul George’s electric Celtics debut
• How New York Knicks fans can get their hands on $20,000 replica NBA Championship ring

What a difference a summer — and getting healthy — makes. Oklahoma City believes that if it had been healthy in the Western Conference Finals — specifically Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell — it would have had a chance to return to the NBA Finals and defend its title. Instead, they fell in 7 to the Spurs.

Game 1 of the 2026-27 season made the Thunder's point.

Behind an elite defense and 32 points from reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder comfortably beat the Spurs 116-104 in San Antonio.

SGA starred in OKC's season opener!

⛈️ 32 PTS (game-high)
⛈️ 6 REB
⛈️ 4 AST
⛈️ 3 STL (game-high)
⛈️ 3 BLK
⛈️ 3 3PM

The Thunder pick up the road win pic.twitter.com/g3UbxnJPm2

— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2026

While SGA looked like an MVP, Victor Wembanyama struggled offensively, missing 12 straight shots, shooting 1-of-13 from the floor, and finishing with 12 points. He grabbed 13 rebounds and had 6 blocks — he was brilliant defensively — but the Spurs needed more offense from him.

It's easy to forget that the Thunder had the best defense in the NBA last season — by a wide margin — and that showed for long stretches of this game. For the night, San Antonio shot just 38.7% from the floor, and were 10-of-37 (27%) from beyond the arc.

OKC took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Spurs 31-16, in part because the Thunder hit 5-of-8 from 3.

Jared McCain knocked down six 3-pointers and finished with 20.

Jared McCain tied his career high with his SIXTH triple in crunch time!
NBA Tip-Off on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/Fr0NsfMNqV

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2026

Chet Holmgren was more aggressive on offense — to the point that De'Aaron Fox picked up a technical for throwing him to the ground — and finished with 14 points, while Jalen Williams had 12 points in his return but struggled with 5-of-16 shooting.

Stephon Castle had 24 points and Dylan Harper 18 for the Spurs.

This might not be the James Madison team of last year, but it’s the only Group of Six team that’s still unbeaten, the offense continues to dominate, and another trip to the College Football Playoff is there for the taking – maybe.

The Dukes have to be unbeaten, and it would help if Boise State tripped up along the way, but that’s for later. For now, they have to keep on rolling with a dangerous Thursday night trip to Boone to keep the momentum going.

The Mountaineers were able to get back on track after a two-game skid, with a win over Coastal Carolina to stay alive in the Sun Belt race. And now they need to slay the JMU dragon to be a true player.

James Madison vs App State: Quick Hits

• App State goes on the road for two of the next three games with a trip to Georgia Southern next.
• James Madison starts a run of three road games in four weeks with a home game against Troy next before going to Southern Miss and UConn.
• The two teams are 2-2 in the series over the last four years, but the Dukes took down the Mountaineers 58-10 last year.

How To Watch James Madison vs App State

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
– Week 8 Schedule & Predictions
– What Will the CFP 12-Seed Bracket Be?
– CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections
– CFN Expert Picks: Week 8

Why James Madison Will Win

App State doesn’t generate enough of a pass rush to bother the James Madison passing game. Camden Coleman might not be consistently accurate, but he was terrific in the key win over Georgia State last week. Give him time to work, and he’ll produce. It also helps that the ground game is carrying the load.

The Dukes have rushed for over 200 yards in each of the last three games, and App State is 0-2 when allowing 200 rushing yards or more.

Why App State Will Win

The two Mountaineer losses can be explained away. One was in a decent 41-31 fight against NC State, and the other was a 10-3 loss to Old Dominion after turning the ball over three times. But App State doesn’t have a turnover issue.

Part of James Madison’s run is coming from takeaways, with two in each of the last six games. App State’s defense is also a turnover-forcing machine. It needs to at least stay even in the turnover margin battle.

James Madison vs App State Prediction, Betting Lines

The 2023 James Madison team was 10-0 under some Curt Cignetti guy. App State came into town and left with a 26-23 win over the Dukes.

The 2024 James Madison team was 8-1 under current UCLA head coach Bob Chesney. It went to App State and left with a 34-20 loss.

The Mountaineers have a way of hitting the Dukes with a big blow in moments like this, but JMU will run too well and won’t turn the ball over enough for the fun to stop here. It’ll be a fight, though.

James Madison 31, App State 24
Latest Consensus Line: James Madison -10.5, o/u: 56.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 3
Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

ELMONT, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Victor Eklund #38 of the New York Islanders skates against Leo Carlsson #91 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at UBS Arena on October 20, 2026 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Getty

The Anaheim Ducks lost their fourth straight game on Tuesday night. It continued a troubling pattern that intensified last week.

Following their 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, the Ducks are now 0-5-0 when scoring two goals in a game. The trend started on Oct. 7 when Anaheim lost 5-2 vs. the Edmonton Oilers. It continued last Tuesday when the Ducks lost 4-2 vs. the Calgary Flames.

Anaheim also lost 4-2 to the Boston Bruins last Friday and 5-2 to the New York Rangers on Monday. Considering these trends, the Ducks look like a team that won’t win many games unless they are putting at least three goals on the board.

Conversely, Anaheim is 4-0-0 this season when scoring three or more goals. They topped Vegas 4-3 in their season opener before defeating the Florida Panthers 3-2 in an overtime thriller. Anaheim cruised past Winnipeg 5-1 before beating Calgary 4-2 during their first matchup of the season.

Throughout this four-game losing streak, opponents have outscored the Ducks 16-8. So the question is: What can they do to get their scoring back on track?

Anaheim Ducks’ Young Core Must Start Stepping Up

It starts with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke. Last season, Carlsson drilled 29 goals home, Gauthier scored 41 times, and Sennecke scored 23 times. This season, Sennecke looks like the only one who will take a step forward.

Before Tuesday’s loss, Sennecke scored five goals in eight games. That put him on pace for between 52 and 53 goals in 84 games. Carlsson and Gauthier each had two goals before Tuesday’s matchup. That put them on pace for 21 and 24 goals, respectively.

Neither Carlsson, Gauthier, nor Sennecke scored on Tuesday, putting them on track for even fewer goals at the moment. Through nine games, Sennecke would be on track to score between 46 and 47 times. Carlsson, meanwhile, is now on track for between 18 and 19 goals, while Gauthier clocks in a 21-goal pace. That’s not what fans need to see from their brightest young forwards.

If the Ducks are going to turn a corner and get back on track, it starts with Carlsson, Gauthier, and Sennecke. Others, like veteran Mikael Granlund, also need to step up and find the net more.

Injuries May Be Catching Up To The Ducks

Gauthier and Granlund recently missed time with injuries, but they were quick to return. Others, like Troy Terry and Ryan Poehling, could be affecting Anaheim. Four players posted 50-plus points for the Ducks in 2025-26, and Terry was one of them, finishing with 57 points and 19 goals.

Poehling was a solid secondary point-producer, with 36 points and 11 goals through 75 games. He was also one of Anaheim’s go-to players at the faceoff dot, and 60 percent of his starts at even strength came in the defensive zone. Poehling wasn’t exceptional at taking faceoffs, but he still finished with an average 48.4 faceoff win percentage.

Until the Anaheim Ducks get healthy, someone needs to step up and ensure this team can consistently score at least three, but ideally between four and five times a game.

The Ducks won’t always win by scoring three-plus goals per game, nor will they always lose when they score only two goals. But current trends show they are more likely to win if they score three or more times, and are more likely to lose when scoring two times or fewer.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Anaheim Ducks’ Losing Streak Exposes A Troubling Offensive Pattern appeared first on HEAVY.

BEITAR JERUSALEM striker Johnbosco Kalu can’t get the ball behind Maccabi Tel Aviv ’keeper Ofek Melika during the clubs’ 0-0 draw at Teddy Stadium. (photo credit: YEHUDA HALICKMAN)

Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv battled to a thrilling 0-0 draw at Teddy Stadium, while Hapoel Tel Aviv overcame a third-minute red card to claim a dramatic 1-0 victory.

Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv played to an entertaining 0-0 draw at Teddy Stadium, while Hapoel Tel Aviv overcame an early red card to defeat Ironi Tiberias 1-0 in a dramatic round of Israeli Premier League action.

Elsewhere, Maccabi Haifa came from behind to beat Maccabi Petah Tikva 2-1, Hapoel Beersheba scored twice late to defeat Hapoel Jerusalem by the same score, Maccabi Netanya edged Kiryat Shmona 1-0, Hapoel Ramat Gan beat Hapoel Haifa 2-0, and Bnei Sakhnin defeated Hapoel Petah Tikva 2-0.

More than 30,000 fans packed Teddy Stadium as Beitar and Maccabi renewed their rivalry in a crucial early-season clash between two title contenders. The match also marked Beitar’s long-awaited return to its home ground after spending the summer playing at Bloomfield Stadium while a new hybrid pitch was installed.

Maccabi started aggressively, with Helio Varela involved in dangerous attacks that saw Dor Peretz and Sagiv Yehezkel come close. Varela later unleashed a powerful strike that narrowly missed the target, while Beitar gradually found its rhythm and began creating chances of its own.

Yarden Shua supplied a superb through ball to Johnbosco Kalu, whose off-balance effort struck the woodwork. Boris Enow also missed a promising opportunity as the teams went into halftime scoreless.

The Israeli Premier League soccer match between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Ironi Tiberias at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, October 17, 2026. (credit: Danny Maron/Flash90)

The chances continued after the break, with Shua, Tomer Yosefi and Omer Atzily all threatening for Beitar. Atzily missed a clear chance in the 73rd minute, sending a point-blank effort over the crossbar.

Maccabi also had chances, but the defining moment came when Peretz appeared to have an open goal. With Beitar goalkeeper Miguel Silva caught well off his line, Brayan Carabali recovered in time to clear Peretz’s effort off the goal line with a remarkable kick save.

Neither side could find a breakthrough, so the teams settled for a point in a match that delivered plenty of excitement but no goals.

Ten-man Hapoel Tel Aviv battles to dramatic victory over Ironi Tiberias

Hapoel Tel Aviv, meanwhile, earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ironi Tiberias despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men.

Wearing pink shirts to mark Breast Cancer Month, the Reds suffered an early setback when Andrian Kraev was sent off in the third minute for stomping on David Keltjens’ leg.

Hapoel continued to push forward despite the numerical disadvantage, although the teams went into halftime scoreless after a potential penalty appeal involving Chico was rejected following a VAR review.

The match took another turn in the 57th minute when Emmanuel Boateng and Ziv Morgan collided heads, leaving Boateng requiring a stretcher to leave the pitch with an injury above his left eye.

Hapoel finally found the breakthrough with 10 minutes remaining. Marcus Coco surged into the penalty area and was brought down by goalkeeper Ido Sharon, earning a spot kick that Omri Altman converted to secure the victory.

“We knew after the red card that the game would be very difficult and that we would have to give extra, and everyone did that,” Hapoel coach Elyaniv Barda said. “We gained a lot from this, especially in terms of the players’ mentality. Even with 10 men, we believed we could win.”

Altman dedicated the victory to Kraev, saying the team wanted to help lift his spirits after the early dismissal. Tiberias coach Alon Ziv expressed frustration that his team failed to exploit its numerical advantage, while Sharon questioned the penalty decision.

Maccabi Haifa stages comeback victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva

Maccabi Haifa also rallied from behind, scoring twice from corner kicks to defeat Maccabi Petah Tikva 2-1.

Petah Tikva took an early lead through Eyal Einbrom’s finish from inside the box, but Eitan Azoulay and Noam Sztejfman headed home in the second half to turn the match around.

Haifa coach Barak Bachar praised his team’s resilience after coming back to win for the third straight game.

“It wasn’t a great performance; there was a little luck involved, and we came under pressure in the final minutes,” Bachar said. “It was a difficult game against a team that sat deep, on a challenging pitch, and I’m happy we secured an important win in a tough match.”

Petah Tikva coach Ziv Arie was disappointed that his team’s work was undone by set pieces, while Sztejfman described scoring the winner as a dream come true.

Hapoel Beersheba produced another late turnaround, defeating Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1 through Igor Zlatanovic’s brace.
Jerusalem took the lead when Vitalie Damascan went coast to coast before beating goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. Be’er Sheva responded in the 74th minute when Zlatanovic pounced on a rebound from Javon East.

Ten minutes later, East was brought down in the penalty area, earning a spot kick and a red card for Jerusalem’s Ofek Nadir. Zlatanovic converted the penalty to complete the comeback and secure all three points.

Beersheba coach Ran Kozuk emphasized the importance of his team’s determination, particularly late in the match, while Jerusalem coach Lior Zada acknowledged the challenge of defending against the combination of East and Zlatanovic.
Maccabi Netanya claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Ironi Kiryat Shmona after Matheus Davo converted a second-half penalty. The spot kick was awarded following a Niv Gabbay handball in the box.

Netanya coach Roni Levy said his team had created several clear-cut chances early but needed determination to secure the result. Kiryat Shmona coach Shai Barda lamented his side’s missed opportunities and said the team needed to find a way to reverse its difficult run.

Hapoel Ramat Gan capitalizes on red card to defeat Hapoel Haifa 2-0

Hapoel Ramat Gan defeated Hapoel Haifa 2-0 after a second-half red card changed the contest. Haifa was reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute when Cheikh Keita was dismissed for a reckless foul. Ramat Gan capitalized almost immediately, with David Asanka scoring his first league goal two minutes later. Luan added the second in the 69th minute.

Ramat Gan coach Messay Dego praised his players for responding well after a previous defeat, while Haifa coach Haim Silvas said his team had been unable to find solutions after going a man down.

Bnei Sakhnin rounded out the round with a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva. Ahmed Salman scored in the first half before Mathew Cudjoe added another after the break.

Sakhnin coach Yossi Abukasis credited the team’s improvement to reinforcements, a more settled lineup and growing confidence. Petah Tikva coach Omer Peretz said his team had controlled much of the contest statistically but failed to make its opportunities count.

See more Israeli sports coverage at www.sportsrabbi.com/en

Yankees predicted to sign $85M former Silver Slugger finalist to revitalize World Series hopes originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees are heading into the offseason with several things to address. Both the regular season and postseason were major letdowns compared to the standards the organization has set.

The American League Division Series went about as poorly as it could have for New York. The Yankees were swept by their AL East rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, who would go on to play in the World Series.

“Tampa Bay is moving on to the American League Championship Series, to play the winner of the Cleveland Guardians-Chicago White Sox series, winning 4-3 to complete a sweep of the Yankees in the division series that affirmed the Rays' summerlong dominance of their division rival,” ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote.

It was an up-and-down season for the Yankees, as they were without Aaron Judge for much of it. Judge was also left off the ALDS roster because of his injury.

“Judge has made his position clear -- he wants to be part of everything that transpires this month. However, Judge’s strained right calf has not healed enough for him to claim a spot on the 26-man roster for the Yankees' showdown against the Rays in the American League Division Series,” MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch wrote.

With Judge coming off an injury, SI’s Joe Najarian believes the Yankees should sign Seiya Suzuki and allow Judge to take on a designated hitter role.

“The Yankees would need to make quite a few moves to make this work, though. Because Suzuki is a full-time right fielder, Aaron Judge would become the everyday DH while Spencer Jones and Cody Bellinger play center and left field, respectively. It would also mean getting rid of both trade deadline additions (Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos) and Giancarlo Stanton. But after his injury-plagued season, Judge will inevitably be limited to DH duties in the future. And given how good Suzuki was in 2026, the Yankees' post-Judge outfield would be in very good shape if they sign the Japanese slugger,” Najarian wrote.

Suzuki could be a strong addition to New York's lineup, particularly given his raw power and the short porches at Yankee Stadium. With his power at the plate, he could help bolster the Yankees' offense while allowing Judge to spend more time at designated hitter.

Suzuki recently completed his $85 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He has been a Silver Slugger finalist twice during his MLB career, making him an intriguing potential addition to New York's lineup. If the Yankees pursue him, he could provide another offensive weapon as the organization looks to get back into World Series contention.

More MLB news:

• Phillies predicted to replace Alec Bohm with 39-HR slugger, Triple Crown winner to bolster lineup
• Yankees predicted to replace Jazz Chisholm with $12M two-time Silver Slugger winner, 4x All-Star
• Braves predicted to trade for $8.5M All-Star, Silver Slugger winner to replace Ha-Seong Kim
• Braves' disappointing $45M Silver Slugger went off the grid following second PED suspension

Photo by: Rick Osentoski

The Boston Celtics opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a disappointing 121-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, blowing a 22 point lead despite a spectacular debut from Paul George.

Boston looked to be in control for much of the afternoon at Little Caesars Arena. However, Detroit mounted a furious second-half comeback, dominating the fourth quarter to spoil George’s first game in a Celtics uniform.

Paul George Shines in Celtics Debut

George was the clear standout for Boston, finishing with a game-high 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting. He knocked down seven three-pointers, added five rebounds and three assists, and recorded five steals in an impressive all-around performance.

His 38 points set a Celtics franchise record for the most points scored by a player in his debut with the organization.

Payton Pritchard and Derrick White each contributed 17 points, while Jayson Tatum finished with 13 points and 11 assists. Tatum struggled to find his shooting rhythm, making just six of his 23 attempts from the field.

Despite George’s historic performance, Boston lacked consistent offensive production from the rest of the lineup when the game tightened in the second half.

Detroit Completes the Comeback

The Celtics carried a 58-45 advantage into halftime and extended their lead to 22 points early in the third quarter. George appeared to have Boston firmly in control, but the Pistons refused to go away.

Detroit gradually chipped away at the deficit before taking control in the fourth quarter. A decisive scoring run helped the Pistons seize the lead, and Boston struggled to respond as the home team built separation.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren led Detroit with 22 points apiece. Duncan Robinson added 21 points, including several crucial shots down the stretch, while Javonte Green provided a major spark off the bench with 19 points.

Detroit outscored Boston 76-55 in the second half, turning what looked like a comfortable Celtics victory into an eight point defeat.

Boston Looks to Bounce Back

The loss highlights Boston’s need to maintain its intensity for all four quarters. George’s debut offered plenty of encouragement, but the Celtics will need more consistent shooting and defensive execution moving forward.

Boston will look to respond when it hosts the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders as part of the London NFL Series 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Getty(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) GettyJonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after his team's 38-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Getty

The Minnesota Vikings‘ run game has managed just fine with Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason through five games, four of which Mason missed with a thumb injury, but neither is under contract beyond this season and neither profiles as a full-time starting running back moving forward.

That said, Minnesota might still be better served to explore deals for a defensive tackle or a safety rather than a RB ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on November 10, given their immediate needs as viewed through the lens of this campaign.

But when opportunity knocks and a game-changing player is waiting on the other side, it’s typically a door that soon-to-be-great teams open.

Enter Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Vikings Offense Trending Up, as Team Prepares for Colts After Bye Week

GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray.

The Vikings host the Colts on Sunday, October 25 in a game that could render Minnesota an undefeated 6-0 and put Indianapolis’s season on the brink with five losses through seven games. Colts QB Daniel Jones is struggling after returning from an Achilles tendon tear last year, while the defense ranks 24th in yards allowed per game through Week 6.

Indy just fired long-time general manager Chris Ballard on Monday, and head coach Shane Steichen could be next — really at any point during the year, or after it. Players like defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Anthony Richardson could be on the trade block in Indianapolis, though neither has the potential to shake up the league the way a Taylor trade might.

That is particularly possible if the three-time Pro Bowler lands with a team like the Vikings, who are atop the NFL in defense and special teams with an offense that is getting healthy and trending upward coming off a bye that followed quarterback Kyler Murray’s best game of the season in Week 5.

Colts Star Jonathan Taylor Among Top Running Backs in NFL

GettyRunning back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

Taylor does not turn 28 years old until January and is under contract through the 2028 campaign. He inked a two-year contract extension worth $44 million total in early August.

The running back is a workhorse who led the NFL in rush attempts last year with 323 carries. He added a league-leading 18 rushing TDs and 1,585 yards on the ground. Taylor also caught 46 passes for 378 yards and two scores.

He has a strong argument as a top-three running back behind Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions after tallying 492 rushing yards and seven scores alongside 15 receptions for 163 yards across six games played thus far.

Taylor might lose that argument given the play of Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, but Taylor is inarguably near the top of league at his position, which should continue over the next few seasons assuming relative health.

If Minnesota inquires about Taylor, the Vikings will probably have to fork over a second-round pick, and potentially another mid-to-late-round asset, to acquire him. But that is a price worth paying if the payoff is a Super Bowl.

Just ask the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles, who paid Saquon Barkley big money in free agency ahead of that season. They went on to win the championship, while Barkley led the league in rushing and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, as well as a ring, in the process.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Vikings Trade Pitch Succeeds Jones, Mason With $44 Million Pro Bowler appeared first on HEAVY.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Ben Kindel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck during the game at T-Mobile Arena on October 17, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 6-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was being evaluated at a Salt Lake City hospital on Tuesday after having a medical emergency on the team’s flight home from a four-game trip.

The club said the 19-year-old Kindel had an unspecified issue shortly after the team’s plane took off from the Salt Lake City airport on Tuesday.

The plane returned to the airport while Kindel was tended to on the flight by the team’s medical staff. He was taken by ambulance to the University of Utah hospital.

The team said Kindel was conscious, alert and stable.

Kindel, in his second season with the Penguins after being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft, has two goals and two assists in nine games. He played 18 minutes, 53 seconds in a 5-4 loss to Utah on Monday night.

The Cincinnati Bengals are concerned about stopping the outside run, a strength of the Ravens, this weekend. Getty

Coming off a bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves fourth in the AFC North. It’s not where they had hoped to be at this point in the season, but with 12 games left, there’s plenty of time to figure things out.

One thing the bye week did do was give the Bengals a chance to look in the mirror and figure out what has gone wrong so far this season. On the defensive side of the ball, that includes containing outside runs and keeping quarterbacks from scrambling. Incidentally, those are strengths that the Baltimore Ravens, their next opponent, pride themselves on offensively.

As it stands now, the Ravens are 4-2. That puts them in a three-way tie for first in the AFC North. That makes every game against a conference rival that much more important. So, the Bengals have been focusing on those outside runs.

Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Al Golden on Outside Runs

One thing is clear, the Bengals are aware of the issues that they have on outside runs. Defensive coordinator Al Golden recently shared that it’s become a point of emphasis for the Bengals.

“We must improve on the perimeter run game,” Golden said. “That’s one of the things we are working through right now and just trying to make sure conceptually and tactically we’re doing it the way we need to do it to improve there.”

Through six weeks, the Bengals are giving up 5.0 yards per carry. That’s 30th in the NFL. They’re also just 31st in terms of explosive plays allowed. The edge has become the key piece of the defense giving up those mistakes. 11 of 16 explosive runs the Bengals have allowed have come on either an outside run or a quarterback scramble. An explosive run is defined as being 12 or more yards.

Golden went on to put the blame for those issues on his own shoulders. Still, it’s not just him who needs to be better coming out of the bye week.

“It’s on me,” Golden said. “Everything starts with what we’re doing tactically and how we’re teaching it and what we need to improve and what needs to change and where can we be in a different call. But certainly, everybody has a part in it. We all need to improve on it, whether that’s beating blocks, playing better force, coaches putting the guys in better position to make plays and then tackling.”

There is a Saving Grace for the Bengals This Week

The Ravens, in many respects, seem designed to take advantage of this weakness on the Bengals defense. Derrick Henry remains one of the game’s best running backs, even if he did lose a step. Then, Lamar Jackson is the prototypical dual-threat quarterback, good enough at passing the ball that you can’t sell out stopping his scrambling, putting the defense in a lose-lose situation.

There is a silver lining for the Bengals, though. Jackson is injured. He hasn’t played since October 4th, and he’s still day-to-day. There’s no guarantee he plays at all, and if he doesn’t, then the Ravens become much more manageable to deal with.

Injury reports will be coming out throughout the week. However, it’s clear that even if Jackson does play, he’s likely to not be completely healthy.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Bengals Defense Concerned Ravens Will Exploit Major Weakness appeared first on HEAVY.

The UCLA Bruins might be the defending national champions, but it's their crosstown rivals that have all the fanfare going into the 2026-27 women's basketball season.

The USC Trojans land at No. 3 in the preseason USA TODAY Women's Basketball Coaches Poll released Tuesday, fueled by the return of Juju Watkins. UCLA, meanwhile, will start the year at No. 12 after most of their championship core departed for the WNBA.

The Bruins, after years of coming brutally close, finally broke through and won the 2026 NCAA Women's Tournament for their first national title in program history. But as confetti fell on their heads in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 22, the realization settled in: this was it for this generation.

Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalić, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker were all taken in the WNBA draft three weeks later; a new record for most players selected in a single round (5) and most players drafted from a single school in one draft (6).

This year's roster looks a little different with two incoming freshmen and a top five-ranked transfer portal class anchored by Addy Brown, Donovyn Hunter, KK Bransford, Bonnie Deas and Elina Aarnisalo – who returns to Westwood after a yearlong-stint at North Carolina.

Aarnisalo, a 5-foot-10 junior guard who shot 40.4% from 3 for the Tar Heels last season, strikes the balance between the rookies and vets – five total returners – on this team. That's crucial for a UCLA team that says they're not rebuilding.

"We understand the standard," head coach Cori Close told reporters at Big Ten media day. "The road map has sort of been set forth for us and I think this team – the transfers, the freshmen – they have purposely signed up because of the championship standards, because of a process that we have created, that we really believe in. And it’s not for everybody."

But even if the standard remains the same in Westwood, the spotlight has undeniably shifted to South Central.

JuJu Watkins missed her entire junior year with a torn ACL. She's back, along with reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jazzy Davidson. Kennedy Smith, an All-Big Ten defender, also returns for her junior season.

Watkins and Davidson were each the No. 1 recruit in the nation when they signed with the Women of Troy; they'll welcome one more member to that club this year in Saniyah Hall, a 6-1 guard out of SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. And she's not the only highly ranked prospect in this USC recruiting class.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb also added Sara Okeke and Sitaya Fagan, a pair of international forwards from Spain and Australia, respectively. Okeke was the MVP of the 2025 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket.

USC opens their season against UNLV on Monday, Nov. 2 in Las Vegas as part of the Hall of Fame Series while UCLA hosts Lehigh at Pauley Pavilion.

LA has been a hub of women's college basketball this decade. Rankings aside, that's set to continue this year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JuJu Watkins' return powers USC to No. 3 as UCLA begins title defense at No. 12 in Coaches Poll

What are Arsenal Women?

Six weeks ago, the answer was easy: Women’s Super League title contenders with the infrastructure to match.

It is now easier to answer what Arsenal are not than what they are.

For one, they are not title contenders. They are not good at figuring out a way through a low block. They are not putting away chances. They are not defending with cogency.

What Arsenal are is more sobering.

They are eighth in the WSL. They are winless in five successive WSL matches for the first time in their history. They are a team that has scored five and conceded seven, the only team that failed to put at least two past newly-promoted Birmingham City and not put at least one past newly-promoted Crystal Palace.

It’s grim reading. The draw with Birmingham at home is also an extension of the theme. That this came so swiftly after an international break in which Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith, Frida Maanum, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler and Stina Blackstenius scored goals and after staff met for a “review of the season” is cause for concern.

Against Birmingham, Arsenal once again couldn’t think their way through a low block. They registered 43 touches in the opposition box and 27 shots, yet managed to put just four of those on target. They were undone by a counter-attack down their left side, where Birmingham focused 40 per cent of their attack. Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy struggled to find fluency, the latter at fault for allowing Neve Herron to slip a pass through her and into the feet of Oceane Hurtre on the other side.

In many ways, the performance was a microcosm of the woes afflicting Arsenal at both ends of the pitch.

Arsenal’s attacking collapse

The headline source of anguish for Arsenal fans this season has been the team’s underperformance in front of goal.

For the past five seasons, Arsenal have tended to overperform. Under Jonas Eidevall in the 2021-22 season, they outperformed their expected goals by 24.3, scoring 65 goals from an expected 40.7. Of the 65 scored that season, Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead got 25 of them (14 and 11 respectively, just under 40 per cent).

Arsenal did not reach those heights in subsequent seasons, but the overperformance remained steady — until this season. Arsenal have scored five goals in the WSL, six fewer than the quality of their chances suggest they should be given their xG of 11.2.

Arsenal rank third in the WSL for shots taken, yet their conversion of those shots has been strikingly poor. At 4.1 per cent, they have the worst conversion rate in the WSL. The next lowest is Everton at 6.9 per cent. Arsenal’s percentage of shots on target that actually beat the goalkeeper (14 per cent) represents a league low.

Former Arsenal forward Kelly Smith was appointed as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023-24 season to work with the attacking players. In the 2023-24 season, Arsenal’s attacking conversion rates increased to 16.1 per cent, before dropping back down to 13.2 per cent (still higher than previous seasons) before plummeting this season.

The source of the profligacy this season is difficult to pinpoint.

Arsenal added attacking players in the summer, winger Lisa Baum and forward Selina Cerci, but other than Baum (who has two goals in the WSL, the most of any Arsenal player), head coach Renee Slegers has relied on familiar faces in Russo, Smith, Caitlin Foord and Blackstenius.

Only Smith and Russo have managed a goal in the WSL. This time last season, Arsenal’s attacking line boasted 14 goals, with Blackstenius responsible for four, Russo and Frida Maanum three apiece, Chloe Kelly two and Smith and Foord one apiece. Neither Kelly nor Maanum have started a WSL match this season due to injury.

Slegers spoke of a front line lacking confidence. Arsenal’s expected goals per shot has slightly dropped, suggesting lower-quality shots in general, albeit not commensurate with the drop-off this season. Their shots on target have also decreased this season to 30.6 per cent vs 38 per cent as an average of the previous five seasons.

That Arsenal have not managed a win in any of their home games this season can seem baffling. Against Palace, Arsenal boasted 76 per cent possession and 70 touches in the opposition final third, the most by a team without scoring in a WSL match since 2018.

In the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, Arsenal had 59 per cent possession and 59 touches in the final third, as well as four big chances. United, by contrast, managed three touches in Arsenal’s final third.

Yet possession does not equate to threat. Arsenal have registered a league-high 2,173 passes in the opposition half (excluding crosses) and a league-high 1,403 passes in the final third. Yet, many of their performances this season have been marked by ponderous build-up play and an inability to puncture low-to-mid blocks. Some opposition also cited a predictability (and inefficiency) to Arsenal’s attack. Arsenal rank second in the league for open-play crosses (104), according to Opta, yet ninth for successful open-play crosses (20.2 per cent). 

Russo remains the focal point, and though the England striker is known to drop deep to help build up attack through the middle, she’s actually having more touches in the box this season (7.1 per 90) than she was in the previous two (6.8 and 5.4).

Still, some variation in attack could be welcomed. Fitness issues have deterred the use of Germany forward and summer signing Cerci, who underwent a knee procedure last week, according to the club. The club also confirmed fitness has played a role in the lack of minutes provided to Geraldine Reuteler, who joined in the summer as an option in the No 10 position.

Defensive issues and vulnerability to the counter-attack

As The Athletic wrote earlier this season, a blueprint is emerging for how teams approach Arsenal: sit in a low-to-mid block and put the attacking onus on them.

Another plan has also begun to take shape: attack down Arsenal’s left on the counter.

Of the attacking touches Arsenal have conceded this league season, 41.6 per cent have arrived down the left flank, the highest proportion in the WSL and an uptick from previous seasons when it was 36 per cent, 36.9 per cent and 39 per cent respectively.

Long-time left-back Katie McCabe departed the club in the summer upon the expiry of her contract, joining rivals Chelsea. McCabe, a natural left-footer, was replaced by Ona Batlle, a right-footer who has predominantly played at right-back throughout her career.

While playing a right-footed player on the left is not in itself a problem, it is notable that when centre-back Steph Catley (left-footed) is not deployed regularly alongside Williamson as was the case last season, Arsenal’s backline of Emily Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy and Batlle are all right-foot dominant. Opponents have picked up on and targeted this (Birmingham head coach Amy Merricks remarked after her side’s draw that she swapped Hurtre from the left to the right for this reason).

Birmingham mustered three chances on the break amounting to 0.72 xG, including a miss from Lily Crosthwaite on 16 minutes and Hurtre’s goal. The week prior, Manchester City found joy on the counter when they sliced through Arsenal with just two quick passes before Khadija “Bunny” Shaw finished off the move to give City their final goal in the 4-2 win.

Arsenal are conceding around 0.17 xG per game from Opta-defined fast breaks this season, a jump from 0.03 last season. Meanwhile, Arsenal rank 11th in the league for percentage of duels won (46.6 per cent).

Watching Arsenal defend these situations, a lack of fluency between defensive partners is notable, something unhelped by the inconsistency of the centre-back pairing, with Wubben-Moy starting the past three matches due to injury to Catley.

Yet, the lack of fluency is not an exclusively defensive problem. As The Athletic reported two weeks ago, a lack of clarity on the pitch has been a problem cited by some within the squad. This was visible in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in September when Slegers made a triple substitution for Stanway, Mariona Caldentey and Baum on the hour, with Foord, Kelly and Blackstenius brought on. Captain Kim Little shouted back to the bench, “Am I playing as a six now?“ as players attempted to suss out where they were meant to be.

While substitutions have represented a source of frustration for fans amid the squad’s ongoing struggles, Slegers sits top for the number of subs made per game this season, having used all five substitutions in every game apart from last weekend’s defeat to Birmingham when she made four.

Given Arsenal’s 25-player squad (so large that Slegers lobbied UEFA to expand the acceptable matchday squad size for European competitions), such rotation is necessary, though the tangible impact of the substitutions has been disappointing, as the City defeat showcased. As The Athletic reported previously, pressure to perform could be a factor, as well as drifting confidence amongst players.

Six fixtures into the season, Slegers has already ruled Arsenal out of the WSL title race. Arsenal still have the Champions League and FA Cup trophies for which to fight. Slegers remains in post despite the poor results, but one thing is clear: significant improvements in all areas are needed if Arsenal are to recover anything from this season.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Arsenal WFC, Women's Soccer

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Manchester City v AEK Athens - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 - Getty Images SportEnglish playmaker inspires Etihad rout

Foden is determined to keep building his goal tally after registering a treble and an assist during the Citizens' 150th Champions League fixture. Having been sent off in last month's Manchester derby before ending a scoring drought dating back to December at the weekend, he now boasts four goals in four days. Victory also provided the ideal response to last week's 4-2 home defeat against holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Tactical switch unlocks clinical displayTactical switch unlocks clinical display

The hosts opened the scoring when Elliot Anderson poked home his first goal for the club after fellow summer signing Enzo Fernandez clipped a free-kick against the crossbar, before Foden converted Rico Lewis' pass. Seven minutes after the restart, Stavros Pilios netted the first goal City had ever conceded against Greek opposition following four previous clean sheets against Aris and Olympiacos, only for Foden to tee up Rayan Cherki and add two further strikes.

Expressing his delight with the collective performance while naming his second strike into the top corner as his favourite in a post-match interview with the club's official website, Foden said: "I enjoyed that a lot. The lads were great again. We showed determination again, it wasn't pretty at times. We were giving sloppy passes away. But, we stuck at the game plan and we kept going and in the end we broke them down. Overall I'm delighted.

"[My favourite goal is] probably the second to be honest. The way it went in. I'm delighted to score goals now, I'm a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It'll only do good for my confidence."

Reflecting on his bid to recapture peak form following two indifferent seasons and his enjoyment of a central attacking role, he continued: "Slowly but surely [getting back to my best], still got a long way to go. I'm going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.

"I've just got to keep working hard and try to be as best as I can for the manager and for the team. Especially when I changed into the false 9 role, I really enjoyed it a lot. In between the lines and in the pockets where I like to be and linking the play. I really enjoyed that role tonight."

Academy graduates earn European bows

With top scorer Erling Haaland left unused on the bench following a recent injury scare, head coach Maresca handed Champions League debuts to youngsters Floyd Samba, Allan, Ryan McAidoo, Vitor Reis and Kaden Braithwaite.

Meanwhile, Foden's treble took him to 23 goals in the competition proper, moving him clear of Steven Gerrard (21) and level with Frank Lampard among Englishmen behind Harry Kane (57), Wayne Rooney (30), Raheem Sterling (27) and Paul Scholes (24).

Detailing how he is helping to guide the club's emerging prospects amid an ongoing injury crisis, Foden added: "Just trying to help them as best as I can, along with the captains, like Ruben [Dias] and Erling. Trying to help the young ones.

"It shows the trust the manager has. We've got a lot of injuries at the moment and he's not scared to use the young lads. They've been playing really well so they deserved to play tonight. I'm really happy for them."

Domestic leaders face Villa testDomestic leaders face Villa test

Getting their European campaign back on track provides the ideal platform for City as they look to preserve their flawless start in the Premier League. Maresca's men will travel to face Aston Villa on Saturday for a 12:30 BST kick-off. With Haaland well rested and Foden firing on all cylinders, the visitors should be well equipped for a testing afternoon at Villa Park.

UConn's Solo Ball and Braylon Mullins watch the team warm up before the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Exhibition Series preseason game against Syracuse at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Tuesday, October 13, 2026. (Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media)

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Dan Hurley considered playing Braylon Mullins in the first half of the UConn men's basketball team's exhibition bout with Michigan State on Tuesday night. 

Mullins, out for nearly a month with an undisclosed injury, had practiced for three straight days and appeared just about ready to make his 2026-27 debut. He participated in pregame warm-ups, but by the time the Huskies returned to the floor for their final warm-ups prior to the opening tap, Mullins was in civilian clothes alongside fellow injured shooter Solo Ball.

"We shut him down," Hurley said of Mullins. "We should have him ready for Purdue, as long as there's no setbacks."

UConn hosts Purdue on Oct. 27 at PeoplesBank Arena in its final exhibition tune-up. Hurley feels it's important for Mullins, a Big East All-Freshman team pick last season after averaging 12 points per game, to get in at least one exhibition before the games start to count on Nov. 2 in Hartford against Gardner-Webb.

"Obviously, we've got to protect a player's health," Hurley said. "But, these are excellent reps to get right now."

UConn's offense looked very sharp in Tuesday night's 78-70 win over Sparty at Breslin Center, even without Mullins.

"Braylon is such a prolific player," Hurley explained, "him not being available forced us to cut better, work on execution and our shuffles and twirls, the things we do to put pressure on the rim without ball screen and roll or post-up."

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This article originally published at UConn's Braylon Mullins sits out second exhibition, but should be ready for Purdue next week.

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: (L-R) Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to head coach Dan Hurley of the UConn Huskies before the start of the game at Breslin Center. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Dan Hurley returned to the college basketball mountaintop in the summer of 2024 and considered climbing higher, faced with a six-year, $70 million offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Few people could relate to the UConn men's basketball coach's predicament, so he built a relationship with Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, the seventh-winningest active coach in Division I basketball, who had received multiple NBA offers over his long run with the Spartans. Hurley chose to stay in the college game, and he's quickly formed a friendship with Izzo, bringing his UConn program to East Lansing for an exhibition game Tuesday evening. 

"Danny and I talked a year ago, we went out there and played," Izzo said on the Big Ten Network broadcast Tuesday. "He's been a good friend of mine. He had some NBA offers, I went through it a little bit myself, we just talked about it and we just became good friends. I love what he does, I love what he stands for, and I knew playing them, they'd be tough as nails."

Izzo began his legendary coaching career at Michigan State in 1995 while Hurley played his senior season at Seton Hall. Inheriting a program that had not reached the Final Four since Magic Johnson, Izzo needed just five seasons to bring a title to East Lansing, winning the 2000 national championship with a talented roster that included Jason Richardson and Morris Peterson. Izzo was offered the Atlanta Hawks head coaching job that summer, which he rejected, and over a quarter-century later the legendary tactician continues to draw professional interest - Izzo said he spoke seriously with Phoenix Suns owner and former Spartan player Mat Ishbia about coaching the team. 

Hurley is a relative newcomer to the coaching scene, but he's adopted an old-school approach that more closely resembles Izzo's, so much so that both men are in an "old-school coaches" group chat alongside Thatta Matta and Mick Cronin. Izzo and Hurley have publicly aligned on player eligibility and transfer portal regulation, and their two programs also played an exhibition game in Connecticut to kick off last season. 

"They buried us out there last year," Izzo said. "It was a 15-point game, but they dominated the game. He said to me after, 'You've got a ways to go.'  At least you can be honest with some coaches."

Izzo's Spartans were more competitive on home soil Tuesday evening, led by a standout 23-point, eight-rebound effort from Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. However, the Huskies worked past early free-throw woes down the stretch and salted away a comfortable 78-70 win. 

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This article originally published at Dan Hurley, Tom Izzo relationship sparked by NBA interest in UConn men's basketball coach.

With Jacksonville State at 3-0 in Conference USA play, and Liberty, Middle Tennessee, and Western Kentucky all with two wins, there’s no room for New Mexico State or Sam Houston to lose on a Wednesday night when they get all of football to themselves.

Sam Houston has yet to beat an FBS team this year, with an offense that suffered a power outage over the last three games.

New Mexico State beat the Western Kentucky team 34-13 that took down the Bearkats last week, but that’s been about it for the fun.

Offense has been a problem for both teams, but between the two, this should be a close, tight game.

New Mexico State vs Sam Houston: Quick Hits

• Sam Houston goes on the road over the next two weeks to Missouri State and Jacksonville State.
• New Mexico State gets three of its next four games at home, starting with Jacksonville State and Liberty, and after going to Missouri State, finishing the run with Delaware.
• New Mexico State is 2-1 in the series since both joined Conference USA, winning last year 37-10.

How To Watch New Mexico State vs Sam Houston

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN2
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, TX
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Why New Mexico State Will Win

For all of the problems on the offensive side, it’s able to move a little bit. The defense has the one thing that royally screws up the Sam Houston offense – a pass rush.

The Bearkats don’t run the ball a lick, and the line is among the worst in the nation in pass protection and tackles for loss allowed.

Why Sam Houston Will Win

Sam Houston might not do much to keep things moving, but it’ll seem like the offense always has the ball.

New Mexico State goes fast, but it goes fast, and then the offense gets off the field in a hurry. Sam Houston’s defense is good on third downs and, until the last two weeks, was terrific at forcing mistakes.

New Mexico State vs Sam Houston Prediction, Betting Lines

Can Sam Houston generate the four takeaways it came up with against Texas Tech, or the three against Nicholls State?

New Mexico State is a turnover machine, especially on the road, giving it away seven times in the three road losses.

Points will be hard to come by in a low scoring battle, but in crunch time, the Aggies will get the late score needed to get out alive.

New Mexico State 24, Sam Houston 21
Latest Consensus Line: New Mexico State -2.5, o/u: 45.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 1.5
Must See Rating (out of 5): 2

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.