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Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina

TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation's youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation's World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Wish I had ...

NBA thoughts: Home court Advantage jitters

Editor’s note: This column was written before Game 4. In that game, the San Antonio Spurs blew a 29-point lead en route to a loss, putting them on the brink of elimination. NEW YORK CITY – In professional sports, there is often a large amount of importance put on home court advantage, in being able to play in a team’s own city for big games. In the NBA Finals, where they play best-of-seven series, home court advantage allows up to four games at home, including the seventh one if it is needed. Anyone who has watched games in the NBA playoffs this season knows the fans have been ...

‘Right hand from God’: One play, 4.5 seconds and a place in Knicks lore

NEW YORK — For the New York Knicks, a 53-year wait for another championship might have been decided by what happened in 4 1/2 seconds. And make no mistake: Those 4 1/2 seconds will never be forgotten by the Knicks. Or by the San Antonio Spurs. The situation: Game 4 of the NBA Finals, ...

Alonso signals he is nearing end of F1 career in his likely farewell to Barcelona

MONTMELO, Spain — Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has signaled he is near the end of his career after saying Sunday's race will likely be his last in Barcelona. The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, the new name for the race held outside Barcelona, won't be staged in 2027 as it starts being held every two years. "It is probably going to be my last Barcelona race in Formula 1," the 44-year-old Alonso told reporters at the track on Thursday. Alonso quickly added he was not announcing his retirement, but the fact that the next Barcelona race will be in 2028 made it less ...

Nneka Ogwumike scores 24 points against her former team to help the Sparks beat the Storm

SEATTLE (AP) — Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 24 points against her former team, Kelsey Plum added 19 points and 11 assists, and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Seattle Storm 88-83 on Wednesday night. Ogwumike, who spent the past two seasons in Seattle, also grabbed nine rebounds to move into fourth on the WNBA career list, passing Rebekkah Brunson. Cameron Brink added 15 points off the bench and Dearica Hamby grabbed 10 rebounds for Los Angeles (6-6) in the Commissioner's Cup game. Natisha Hiedeman scored 16 points for Seattle (3-11), which has lost seven straight games. ...