MLB PRESENCE IN MEXICO GOES BEYOND JUST HOSTING ANOTHER REGULAR SEASON

AP Photo 

 MEXICO CITY (AP) — When the Houston Astros take on the Colorado Rockies this weekend, it will be the seventh regular-season series played in Mexico. Major League Baseball's presence in the country, however, goes far beyond that.

Mexico became one of only six countries in the world with an MLB office in 2016. For Rodrigo Fernandez, the head of the organization south of the border, the regular-season series may be the biggest event, but it's far from the only one held in the country.

Among those, the MLB office runs a program called First Pitch to promote the game among kids. Another is the MLB Cup, a nation-wide tournament for 11 and 12 year olds that recently finished its fifth championship.

“For us (the series) is the cherry on top of the cake because we have many activities through the year,” Fernandez told The Associated Press. “The MLB Cup is broadcasted by ESPN and is the biggest tournament of its kind in Mexico. Those kids are Mexico’s future.”

The MLB office in Mexico, alongside the Mexican baseball federation, held the tournament with 28 teams. The finals were played in Mexico City.

“We want to send the message to kids that we are interested in them playing baseball. Many of them will probably end up being signed by the Mexican Baseball League, but also, they are going to play for the national team in their age group,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez has been the only director of the office since its creation in 2016. Before taking over, he worked as general manager of operations for World Wrestling Entertainment for Mexico and Latin America.

Besides Mexico, Major League Baseball has offices in London, Tokyo, Beijing and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The office is inside a luxury tower adjacent to the upscale Artz Pedregal shopping mall in the southern part of the city.

Even though Fernandez's position remains the same, some of the goals from MLB in Mexico have changed. In 2016, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he wanted to see if Mexico could be a potential site for expansion. But a year ago, Manfred said he’s “never been close to the idea of Mexico as an expansion opportunity.”

“Commissioner Manfred has a commitment and very high interest in Mexico, however there are several factors that have made us change our strategies and now solidifying the local leagues is the main step for us,” Fernandez said.

The MLB office in Mexico already works closely with the Mexican baseball federation and they are trying to forge a closer relationship with the Mexican Baseball League, led by league president Horacio de la Vega.

Since de la Vega took over in 2021, the league has seen increased attendance at stadiums, the games are broadcast on national TV and on streaming services. That has helped grow the sport’s popularity among a new generation of fans.

“I think (fan attendance) has increased, before there were a lot of old people in the park,” 63-year-old fan Carlos Hernandez said before a game between the Diablos Rojos and Tigres in Mexico City. “And now there are more fans, especially young ones.”

According to Othon Diaz, the Diablos Rojos president, nine years ago 53% of the team’s fans were 55 years or older and now 74% of them are under 45. Also, they averaged 3,000 fans per game and now it’s up to 11,000.

For some of those hard-core fans, having an MLB regular-season series is nice, but only for those who can afford it.

Fernandez said tickets for the Astros-Rockies series sold out in an hour and now the asking price on the resale market goes from $70 up to $580.

“It’s a good show, but the ticket prices are a little bit high. With the cheapest one you could come (to see the Diablos Rojos) for half of a season,” said Hernandez, who went to see the Diablos with his wife and two sons.

Mexico first hosted MLB games in August 1996, when the San Diego Padres faced the New York Mets in Monterrey. The Padres faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018. And in 2019, the Cincinnati Reds played the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Houston Astros faced the Los Angeles Angels.

Mexico City was due to host a series between the Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2020, but it was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the Padres played against the San Francisco Giants.

According to Fernandez, there are plans to bring regular-season games to Mexico every year through 2026, though not necessarily at the same venue. Meanwhile, the work continues to help spread the popularity of baseball in the country.

-CARLOS RODRÍGUEZ

LEICESTER PROMOTED BACK TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

 LONDON (AP) — Leicester secured automatic promotion back into the English Premier League on Friday after Leeds lost to Queens Park Rangers.

Leicester's return was sealed when second-placed Leeds — four points behind Leicester — was thumped at QPR 4-0.

The Foxes achieved promotion at the first time of asking after being relegated from the Premier League last season following a third-to-last finish.

Leicester leads the second-tier Championship with two games left.

Leeds was only one point above third-placed Ipswich, which has two games in hand.

NO. 1 NFL DRAFT PICK CALEB WILLIAMS REALIZES ALL EYES ARE ON HIM AND HE'S EMBRACING THE ATTENTION

AP Photo 

 LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Caleb Williams seemed unfazed by it all.

The former Southern California star was ready to embrace the attention after the Chicago Bears grabbed him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The prized quarterback knows all eyes are on him in a city craving a consistent winner. And to that, Williams said bring it on.

“I’m always going to have scrutiny,” he said at a news conference Friday, a day after the Bears drafted him. “I do things like paint my nails. I’m always going to have scrutiny over that. I wear funky clothes, things like that. So you know. Just do my job on the football field and win games. I think if you win a bunch of games here, you’ll make a lot of people, the majority, happy.”

The Bears have just three playoff appearances since the 2006 team advanced to the Super Bowl. And in two of them, they failed to advance. Chicago's lone Super Bowl champion remains the 1985 team, but there's certainly a buzz blowing through the Windy City.

The Bears look like they might be ready to turn a corner, after going a combined 10-24 in their first two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.

Chicago acquired six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers, giving it another top receiver to go with DJ Moore. The Bears added another potential playmaker at the position when they drafted All-American Rome Odunze of Washington at No. 9. But above all else, they think they have their franchise quarterback.

Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has made no attempts to temper expectations. He said recently on The Pivot Podcast that he's chasing Tom Brady's record seven Super Bowl wins.

“What’s the reason to duck?” Williams said. “It’s here. There’s no reason to duck. I’m here. Rome’s here. Keenan Allen, the top-five defense that we had last year, special teams, all the new roles — whatever. We’re here. I’m excited. I know everybody’s excited. The Bears fans are excited from what I’ve heard and seen, and there’s no reason to duck. Attack it head first and go get it.”

Williams acknowledged there might be growing pains. But he insisted he expects to be great right away.

“Why wouldn’t I?” he said. “Obviously if there’s growing pains, you handle them. But that doesn’t mean that affects your greatness. There’s trials and tribulations that you go through. Why would I go somewhere, work so hard for so many years and then in every situation I go to believe I’m the best, and then I get here and I don’t believe that? That doesn’t mean that I go around and boast. That doesn’t mean that I go around and say that. But the way I handle my work, the way I carry myself every day, how I treat my friends, family, teammates, the faculty, the executives here, the custodians, whatever the case may be — treat everybody as they are, we’re all equal and everybody should think that they’re the best when you do things and you work so hard for stuff.”

Williams, who held up a No. 1 jersey on draft night, will wear No. 18 in Chicago. His number at USC — 13 — is taken by Allen.

Williams has a strong arm, an ability to avoid defenders and presence in the pocket. He had 93 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions during three seasons at Oklahoma and USC and captured the Heisman after following coach Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles from Norman.

“He's not scared for greatness,” Riley said. “He's not scared to put it out there. He's not scared to be himself, and I think you have to have that belief in yourself. You have to have that belief in the people around you, and it's contagious. Is is, when a leader or a quarterback feels that way about his team and what they're trying to accomplish.”

Odunze, who led the nation with a school-record 1,640 yards receiving last season, got a close look at Williams the past few seasons.

“It was embarrassing to watch some of the things he was doing to our defense,” Odunze said. “Very special and a very unique skill set. When you watch him play, there are things he can do on the field you don’t see any other quarterback doing. He brings a unique skill set. He’s very confident in the pocket, very confident extending a play, and the play is never over until the whistle is blown, you know that.”

- ANDREW SELIGMAN

HALIBURTON BREAKS TIE WITH 3-POINT PLAY, PACERS BEAT BUCKS 121-118 IN OT TO TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD

AP Photo 

 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton struggled to find his shooting touch Friday night.

So he looked for other ways to impact the game — a thunderous slam dunk off a rebound, finding open teammates and patiently waiting for a chance to make a statement. Then in the waning seconds of overtime, Haliburton wanted the ball.

The All-Star guard completed a three-point play with 1.6 seconds left, capping his first postseason triple-double in his first home playoff game to give the Indiana Pacers a 121-118 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 on Sunday in Indianapolis.

“You know I was going to shoot it, no matter what,” Haliburton said. “What I was going to get was really based off of feel. there. Khris (Middleton) pushed Pascal (Siakam) up to tell Patrick (Beverley) to go under and as soon as I saw Patrick kind of turn his head, I reacted and everything opened up across the middle and I finally made a shot. I couldn't buy a bucket tonight.”

Yes, Haliburton was just 8 of 22 from the field and 1 of 12 on 3-pointers. But he did just about everything else right, finishing with 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo again sat out for Milwaukee because of a strained left calf.

Myles Turner added 29 points and nine rebounds, both playoff career highs, to help give Indiana its first back-to-back postseason wins since taking three straight in the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pacers also have their first lead in the playoffs since Game 3 of a first-round matchup against Cleveland in 2018. Indiana hasn't won a series since reaching the 2014 Eastern Conference finals.

“It was a really fun game and overtime, what more could you ask for?” Haliburton said. “It was a really fun atmosphere.”

Perhaps not so fun for a Bucks team that has gotten more bruised and battered by the game.

Middleton finished with a playoff-career high 42 points and had 10 rebounds and five assists after missing practice Thursday because of a sprained right ankle. He forced overtime by making a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds to go in regulation, banked in a 3 to tie the score with 6.7 seconds left in overtime and then missed a 3 at the buzzer that could have forced a second overtime.

Damian Lillard added 28 points and eight assists, most coming after he hurt his left knee in the first quarter and then aggravating an Achilles tendon injury late in the fourth quarter.

“We've just got to turn the page and get one win after another,” said Lillard, who is playing in his first postseason with the Bucks, who are 2-6 against Indiana this season.

It was a wild finish in front of a festive crowed decked out in gold T-shirts for Indiana's first home playoff game since April 21, 2019 — and with many local favorites in attendance. The crowd included Indiana Fever newcomer Caitlin Clark, former Colts coach Tony Dungy, former Pacers forward Derrick McKey and current Colts players Anthony Richardson, Kenny Moore II and E.J. Speed .

But these fans never expected to see the experienced Bucks methodically trim a 19-point first-half deficit to 90-83 after three quarters or to open the fourth on a 10-2 run to take a 95-92 lead on Bobby Portis Jr.'s putback early in the fourth.

The teams then traded baskets, ties and leads over the final 7 1/2 minutes of regulation, with Siakam's putback with 19.1 seconds left giving the Pacers a 109-106 lead. But Siakam missed the ensuing free throw, Middleton answered with a midrange shot and the 3 to tie it. Siakam's long 3 to win it hit off the back of the rim at the buzzer.

“I thought we picked up our energy, I thought we got more physical," Lillard said. “We just kind of got things under control, we got matched up, got into the gaps and thought once we started to do all of those things, the game started to turn. That's something we've got to focus on.”

It was more of the same in overtime — until Haliburton broke free for the mid-range shot that drew a foul and led to the decisive three-point play.

Siakam had 17 points and nine rebounds. Portis had 17 points and 18 rebounds for the Bucks.

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO RULED OUT, KHRIS MIDDLETON TO START FOR THE BUCKS AGAINST PACERS IN GAMEN3

AP Photo 

 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks will be without star Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3 of their playoff series against Indiana on Friday night, but will have All-Star Khris Middleton in the starting lineup.

Middelton was activated after going through pregame workouts, showing coaches and team doctors he could move effectively.

Middleton is averaging 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5 assists through the first two games and finished Tuesday night's Game 2 loss after spraining his right ankle.

While Rivers said Antetokounmpo did more at practice than he had been during a nearly three-week absence with a strained left calf, he still avoided live workouts. The Bucks waited until Friday to officially announce Antetokounmpo would miss another game.

The two-time NBA MVP has not played since getting hurt April 9.

The series is tied 1-1. Indiana is trying to take its first lead in a playoff series since 2018.

AMERICAN COLEMAN BELIEVES BOLT'S 100M RECORD COUKD FALL SOON

Reuters 

 American sprinter Christian Coleman believes that Usain Bolt's 100-metres record of 9.58 seconds that has stood for 15 years is within reach and said there are several athletes fast enough to break it.

"It seems like the times being run, 9.58 is obviously an extraordinary time but honestly I feel like it's a lot of guys who are competing today who are not that far off, if the track gods see fit for it to happen," Coleman told reporters on Friday ahead of Saturday's Shanghai Diamond League meet.

"But it has to be perfect conditions, on the right day, the right competition and the right venue ... if you're focusing on running properly, like executing a good race, I feel like those type of magical moments happen.

"I feel like it's in my wheelhouse, but I don't try to put too much emphasis or thought on it. I try to just focus on the next practice, the next rep, the next meet and just trying to improve and get better and better and the times will come."

Jamaica's Bolt set his 100m record in Berlin in 2009. American Tyson Gay is the second quickest after Bolt with a time of 9.69 set in Shanghai the same year.

Christian Miller, a 17-year-old from the U.S., ran 9.93 -- the fastest time in the world this year -- at a high school meet in Florida last weekend.

Coleman, a five-times world champion who has a 100m personal best of 9.76 set in 2019, takes on U.S. rival Fred Kerley, silver medallist in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics, for the first time this outdoor season at the Shanghai Diamond League meet on Saturday.

"I'm the fittest I've ever been," said Kerley, who clocked his quickest 100m of 9.76 in 2022. "I'm learning how to run the 100 still, me and my coaches are working on the phases of the races instead of just running the race like I always have."

The 28-year-old Coleman raced to gold in the 60m at the world indoor championships earlier this season in Glasgow.

- Reuters 

ES TUNIS STARTING XI VS. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS | #TOTALENERGIESCAFCL

 

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STARTING XI VS. ES TUNIS | #TOTALENERGIESCAFCL

LIV GOLF ADELAIDE | ROUND 1 | FULL HIGHLIGHTS

76ERS ALL-STAR CENTER JOEL EMBIID SAYS HE'S SUFFERING FROM BELL'S PALSY

AP Photo 

 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.

Embiid wore sunglasses to the podium after he scored 50 points in the Sixers' Game 3 win over the New York Knicks and said he's dealt with various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes.

Embiid said he first started suffering from the affliction about a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament. Embiid had 23 points and 15 rebounds in the win that sent the Sixers to the playoffs.

Embiid complained of migraines but “thought it was nothing" before he finally notified doctors he wasn't feeling well.

“My body was just, I was just not feeling it,” Embiid said. “Yes, it's pretty annoying. My left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. It's been tough. But I'm not a quitter. I'm going to keep fighting through anything. It's unfortunate, that's the way I look at it. But it's not an excuse. I've got to keep pushing.”

Last season's NBA MVP, Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers in Game 3.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1 and Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid had been wearing sunglasses throughout the series and conducted a Game 2 postgame interview with his head down in front of his locker to hide his symptoms.

Embiid said he has no timetable on how long it may take to recover from Bell's palsy.

“It hasn't really necessarily gotten better,” he said. “With the conversations that I've had, it could be weeks, it could be months. I just hope that it stays like this. I've got a beautiful face. I don't like when my mouth is looking the other way. Unfortunate situation but everything happens for a reason.”

- DAN GELSTON

FALCONS PROVIDE AN NFL DRAFT SURPRISE BY TAKING WASHINGTON QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. WITH NO. 8 PICK

AP Photo 

 FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons provided the first major surprise of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the No. 8 overall pick on Thursday night.

The Falcons extended their recent trend of selecting offensive skill players in the first round by drafting Penix one month after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. Using a draft slot normally targeted for players expected to make an immediate impact, the Falcons chose Penix as the long-term successor to the 35-year-old Cousins.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said he never wavered when Penix was available.

“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback,” Fontenot said. “Michael Penix, we’re talking about the future. We’re very excited about that quarterback room.”

New coach Raheem Morris said the Falcons wanted to draft Penix this year because they don't plan to draft as high as No. 8 again soon. It was a strong prediction for a franchise that hasn't had a winning season or made the playoffs since 2017.

“We’re talking about winning the (NFC) South and doing some things and going to the playoffs,” Morris. said. “We don’t want to be picking that high anymore. We don’t want to be in that position. ... That helped us make that decision.”

Morris said he would be thrilled if Penix is nothing more than an observer the next four years if that means Cousins is thriving as the starter.

“Nothing would make me feel better than watching Kirk Cousins play for four years,” Morris said.

Penix said he looks forward to learning from Cousins.

“I’m blessed with the opportunity,” Penix said. “I’m going to take advantage and make the most out of it. For me coming in behind Kirk Cousins, he’s a guy who has been in the league and ... played a lot of football. I’m going to come in and I'm gong to learn, I’m going to learn from him and try to soak in all the knowledge I can.”

The Falcons had been expected to use the pick to boost their pass rush.

The Falcons also focused on offensive playmakers with their last three first-round picks. Tight end Kyle Pitts was the No. 4 overall pick in 2021, followed by wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, each No. 8, the last two years.

Penix, who will be 24 as a rookie, led FBS schools with 4,903 passing yards and was third with 36 touchdown passes. He won the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player.

Penix threw for 255 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions as No. 2 Washington fell to top-ranked Michigan 34-13 in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Penix began his college career at Indiana, where he tore his right ACL in 2018 and 2020 and had shoulder injuries in both 2019 and 2021.

Penix said he had a good feeling after working out for Falcons officials, including Fontenot, at Washington.

“They were great,” Penix. said. “They liked how I threw the ball. I feel like I put on a great performance that day in that throwing session. It was kind of quick but we made it worthwhile.”

Still, Penix said he didn't know if the Falcons' interest was serious until the call came during the draft. He said he spoke with Fontenot, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

“To be able to hear that phone call come through It was just a blessing,” Penix said. “They asked me was I ready to be a Falcon. I said absolutely.”

Fontenot said this week he would consider selecting a quarterback high in the draft even when most of the outside focus had been on edge rushers.

“If we see a player that we believe can be a franchise quarterback at any point, whether it’s this draft, next draft, whether it’s a player we can trade for, whatever it is, you have to bring that player in because we’re talking about the next four to five years plus when we’re talking about guys that we’re drafting,” Fontenot said.

The Falcons' draft won't by impacted by the NFL’s investigation of the team's possible violation of tampering policies before signing Cousins, who appeared to indicate he had been in communication with team officials at a time the team would have been permitted to talk only with his agent.

-  CHARLES ODUM

OILERS CAPTAIN CONNOR MCDAVID BECOMES 4TH PLAYER IN NHL HISTORY TO RECORD 100 ASSISTS IN A SEASON

 EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid has achieved something only three other people in the NHL have ever done.

The Edmonton Oilers captain, who missed his team’s last three games with an undisclosed injury, recorded his 100th assist of the season in Monday’s game against the visiting San Jose Sharks.

Wayne Gretzky did it 11 times, while Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux each got there once.

McDavid hit the milestone with 4:25 left in the second period against the Sharks. The captain outwaited a sprawling Sharks defender before softly passing the puck to forward Zach Hyman, who buried his 54th goal of the season to make it 9-1 for Edmonton.

McDavid scored his 32nd goal of the season 53 seconds into the first period.

2024 MFL.DRAFT NIGHT ONE RECAP | PFF NFL SHOW

ROUND 1 | ZURICH CLASSIC | 2024

PICK 1-10 | FIVE QUARTERBACKS DRAFTED | 2024 NFL 2024

 

NFL DRAFT CENTRE | COVERAGE OF EVERY ROUND 1 PICK

 

DAVIS VS. MARTIN | BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK

 

RYAN GARCIA BET ON HIMSELF

 

GERVONTA DAVIS TO RYAN GARCIA

 

QUARTERBACKS WILLIAMS, DANIELS, MAYE, PENIX, MCCARTHY, AND NIX SELECTED IN TOP 12 OF NFL DRAFT

Caleb Williams. AP Photo 

DETROIT (AP) — Caleb Williams swiftly walked on stage, looked out and screamed “Woooo! Yeah!”

Long-suffering Bears fans felt his joy.

Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.

“My goal is to get into as far as February as I can,” Williams said, referring to playing in a Super Bowl for a team that hasn't hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in nearly 40 years.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner kicked off an historic NFL draft Thursday night that had five other teams selecting quarterbacks among the top 12 picks, setting a record with five in the top 10 and tying a record for the most in the first round.

Nearly the entire first half of the draft was offensive players.

A defensive player wasn’t selected until UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu went at No. 15 to Indianapolis. That's the latest a first defensive player has ever gone.

The Bears opened with the easy choice, taking Williams at No. 1 after deciding weeks ago to bank on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from USC.

“Care, love and support and want to win,” Williams said about what he's bringing to Chicago.

The Washington Commanders followed up by taking 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU and the New England Patriots took North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 3, making it the fourth draft with quarterbacks going with the first three picks.

At No. 8, the Atlanta Falcons made a stunning decision to choose Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins to a massive contract in free agency. The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot and took J.J. McCarthy, who led Michigan to a national championship, to make it five QBs in the top 10 for the first time.

The Denver Broncos chose Oregon's Bo Nix with the 12th pick, tying the 1983 draft with six QBs in the first round. Three of those became Hall of Famers — John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly.

The Arizona Cardinals snapped the early QB trend, choosing Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. The Los Angeles Chargers opened the Jim Harbaugh era by taking Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt instead of giving Justin Herbert a No. 1 wide receiver to replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

The New York Giants then snatched up LSU receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6. The Tennessee Titans took Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham with the seventh pick and the Bears selected Washington wideout Rome Odunze at No. 9.

The New York Jets, who dropped to No. 11, chose offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, giving Aaron Rodgers more protection. The Las Vegas Raiders got Georgia tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13. The New Orleans Saints took Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th pick before the Colts grabbed Latu.

Previously, the latest a first defensive player was selected was No. 8. The Seattle Seahawks took Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy next and the Vikings made another trade to move up and take Alabama edge Dallas Turner at No. 17.

The Cincinnati Bengals chose Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims and the Los Angeles Rams got Florida State edge Jared Verse at No. 19, the team's first selection in the first round since taking Jared Goff at No. 1 in 2016.

Wearing a navy suit with silver accents and flashing a big smile, Williams gave Roger Goodell a bear hug, careful not to squeeze too hard because the NFL commissioner had back surgery three weeks ago.

Rap icon Eminem walked on stage in a Lions sweatshirt and cap shortly after Goodell to start the festivities. The Motor City native riled up the fans before turning it over to Lions stars Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.

St. Brown led them in chanting “Jar-ed Goff!” and Johnson kept it short: “Whaddup doe?”

An estimated crowd of 275,000, many wearing their Honolulu blue Lions jerseys, filled the streets surrounding the draft theater and turned the NFL’s biggest offseason event into a giant party.

They roared when the Lions moved up five spots in a trade with Dallas and took Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 24th pick.

The 22-year-old Williams is the third quarterback Chicago has selected in the first round in the past eight years, joining Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields. They passed up on Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud last year and traded the No. 1 pick to Carolina in a blockbuster deal only to get the top choice this year after the Panthers went 2-15.

Williams shouted “Da Bears!” to finish his first news conference as a pro.

A dual-threat player with a strong arm and ability to improvise, Williams threw 93 touchdown passes and ran for 27 scores in three seasons at Oklahoma and USC.

The 23-year-old Daniels, who played three seasons at Arizona State and two at LSU, led the nation in total offense last season with 4,946 yards.

“I don’t let football define me, who I am as a human being,” Daniels said. "This is something I do and I’m passionate about it.”

Maye is the second QB the Patriots have selected in the first round since Tom Brady left. Mac Jones didn’t work out and now it’s Maye’s turn to be the man in a new era that starts without longtime coach Bill Belichick.

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected versatile Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu at No. 20. Penn State edge Chop Robinson went next to the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles went with Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 23. After the Lions took Arnold, the Green Bay Packers selected Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton.

Missouri edge Darius Robinson went to Arizona. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs made a deal with AFC rival Buffalo to move up and take Texas wideout Xavier Worthy at No. 28.

The Cowboys chose Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton and the Baltimore Ravens got Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins.

The defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers added another playmaker, taking Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall and the Carolina Panthers made a trade to get South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette with the last pick of the first round at No. 32.

- ROB MAADDI

JOEL EMBIID SCORES 50 POINTS TO LEAD 76ERS PAST KNICKS 125-114 TO CUT DEFICIT TO 2-1

 PHILADELPHIA -- — Joel Embiid is suffering from Bell's palsy and played Game 3 with a bulky knee brace to sturdy the 7-footer after dealing with injuries all season.

The lingering effects of the time off from his most recent knee surgery sucked him into a depression — and that was before Embiid was hit with a form of facial paralysis. Embiid pushed aside the pain — mental and physical — and embraced the pressure after he vowed the 76ers were “going to win this series” against the New York Knicks.

Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-saving third quarter on Thursday night to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-114 win in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

After getting punished in New York, the Sixers pushed back.

“They want to bring the physicality,” Embiid said. “We can be physical, too.”

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

They at least have a shot now — the Knicks lead the series 2-1 and Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

Embiid, who scored a franchise-best 70 points against San Antonio in January, became the first player in NBA history to score 50 points on fewer than 20 shots in a playoff game.

Last season’s NBA MVP, Embiid finally turned the crowd -- which had a distinct New York flavor in South Philly --- into one rocking for the home team. The All-Star center played more like a sharpshooting guard in the third, when he saved the season.

The Sixers pecked away at a three-point halftime deficit when Embiid got hot. He hit one 3 and then two more —- the last two with assists from Tyrese Maxey — that gave the Sixers an 82-72 lead. His fourth 3 pushed the lead to 98-85.

Not bad for a career 34% 3-point shooter.

Maxey added two 3s in the quarter and the 76ers went a whopping 9 of 12 from beyond the arc for 43 points.

Embiid mostly kept his cool and was in the mix on both ends of the court all game. Embiid had 17 points, three fouls and he even grabbed Mitchell Robinson and dragged him to the court in a first half where they again weren't good enough to look like a team that could beat the Knicks.

Embiid was whistled for a flagrant foul on the play. Robinson suffered a sprained left ankle and left the arena in a boot.

“I didn't mean to hurt anybody,” Embiid said. “In those situations, I've got to protect myself.”

Embiid said he first started suffering from the affliction about a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament.

“My left side of my face, my mouth and my eye,” Embiid said. “It’s been tough. But I’m not a quitter. I’m going to keep fighting through anything.”

The Knicks won the first two games in New York, highlighted by Donte DiVincenzo's go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in Game 2. Against the backdrop of two Villanova national championship banners they helped the program win, the trio of former Wildcats were largely stifled in Game 3.

Jalen Brunson did lead the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart — whose spectacular 3-point shooting in New York was an unexpected bonus for the Knicks — scored 20 points but DiVincenzo had five.

Hart said he was “all for tough playoff fouls” but Embiid's foul could have put Robinson out for a “serious amount of time.”

The Knicks must have felt at home inside a Sixers' arena that sounded more like Madison Square Garden as chants of "Let's Go Knicks!' echoed throughout the arena for a chunk of the game. John Starks wildly cheered them on from his courtside.

The Sixers countered with Allen Iverson, who along with Embiid and Billy Cunningham are the only players in franchise history to hit 50 points in a playoff game.

But nostalgia didn't matter much between teams that played each other in a postseason series for the first time since 1989.

This one could be shaping up as one to remember.

Embiid was serenaded with “MVP! MVP!” chants as he stretched the lead from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

“Joel Embiid has been banned from the Empire State Building,” was posted on the skyscraper's social media account.

Maxey finished with 25 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 15 points and showed no lingering effects following his reported involvement in a car crash after Game 2. Cam Payne hit three 3s and scored 11 points.

“I think Cam Payne was the MVP of the game," 76ers guard Kyle Lowry said.

Outside of a disputed call on Embiid's flagrant, Game 3 was played without any significant disputes with the officiating after the NBA said the referees missed several late calls in Game 2.

Embiid's 21 free-throw attempts were more than New York attempted the entire game; the Knicks made 13 of 19.

“I'll send my clips in like I do every game,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They'll say marginal contact. Then they'll say marginal contact on Embiid and he'll be at the line 21 times. That's just the way it works.”

IN SHEER DRAMATIC FASHION, INDONESIA MOVE CLOSER TO OLYMPIC DREAM WITH STUNNING SOUTH KOREA UPSET

Indonesia have continued their dream AFC U-23 Asian Cup debut by reaching the semifinals after seeing off South Korea with an exhilarating 11-10 penalty shootout triumph following a 2-2 extra-time draw between both teams. Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

 It was always going to be something quite special if Indonesia were to keep their dream AFC U-23 Asian Cup debut going, especially coming up against continental powerhouses South Korea in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

And so it proved to be the case.

With equal doses of footballing quality, tension, excitement and drama, Indonesia and South Korea served up something truly special.

After both teams could not be separated -- with a 2-2 draw the final score after 120 minutes-- they then combined for a marathon penalty shootout which saw a total of 24 efforts.

In the end, a shootout which lasted almost as long as the 30 minutes of extra-time would be won by Indonesia.

11-10, with both goalkeepers required to step up to the spot against one another, before the first couple of takers went around again.

While the result, on paper, is undeniably a massive upset, the actual contest was anything but a one-sided contest.

If anything, Indonesia probably should have sealed the win inside 90 minutes, especially after the South Koreans were reduced to ten men in the 70th minute after substitute Lee Young-Jun was given a straight red upon VAR review for planting his studs on the ankle of Ivar Jenner.

They certainly had been excellent value up to that point having showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion or the opposition standing in their way, even taking the lead after 15 minutes when Rafael Struick produced a stunning effort from the edge of the box to send a swerving effort into the top corner.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarterfinal between South Korea and Indonesia really turned in favour of the latter when Lee Young-Jun was sent off for the opposition, although they were already leading 2-1 at that stage. Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

Indonesia were slightly unfortunate to concede an equaliser in the 45th minute when Eom Ji-Sung's attempt to send a header back across the box saw the ball ricochet off the head Indonesia defender Komang Teguh and past his own keeper Ernando Ari.

Refusing to be deterred, the Indonesians would reclaim the lead even before the break when Struick - in inspired form - capitalised on some hesitant defending to pounce on a loose ball inside the area and finish past Baek Jong-Bum.

Yet somehow, with a 2-1 lead and then the numerical advantage as well after Lee's dismissal, Indonesia went into their shells.

Part of that would be down to the fact that the South Koreans were now adopting a more conservative approach while looking to hit on the counterattack but, while they were now harder to break down, Indonesia also looked to take their foot off the pedal.

They still created enough chances -- and spurned several -- so it was only natural that they would be hit by a sucker punch with six minutes remaining, when they were carved apart by an electric counterattack that was neatly finished off by Jeong Sang-Bin.

With extra-time following, the Indonesians again looked tentative right until the final stages. As their renewed urgency failed to reap reward, it was then down to the shootout.

Of course, more drama was to follow.

At one stage, it looked as though only the five regulation penalties from each team would be required.

Indonesia can now dream of featuring in the men's football tournament at this year's Olympic Games as they are -- at the very least -- guaranteed a playoff against Guinea. Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

The South Koreans certainly though they had prevailed when goalkeeper Baek kept out the opposition's fifth effort from Justin Hubner.

But he was adjudged to have failed to keep the prerequisite one football on the goal-line, leading to a retake and a reprieve for Hubner as he got it right from 12 yards second time around.

Immediately after, Ernando saved from Kang Sang-Yoon to put Indonesia on the brink of the semis -- only for Arkhan Fikri to fire wide when the chance to become the hero was in his grasp.

The shootout would go on -- and on and on it went.

Until the 23rd spot-kick of a seemingly endless tie, when Ernando produced a second fine stop to deny Lee Kang-Hee.

Where Arkhan had failed to capitalise, Pratama Arhan made no mistake in putting his name in lights.

Somehow, Indonesia had done brilliantly to look a real chance of causing a massive upset in regulation time.

Then, somehow again, they really had to dig deep to do so by prevailing in thrilling fashion.

If the magnitude of the feat was not clear enough yet, this is their U-23 Asian Cup debut. And in South Korea, they have defeated a team that have qualified for the men's football tournament at the past nine Olympic Games dating back to 1988.

South Korea will not be in Paris this year. They had to reach the last four of the U-23 Asian Cup in order to stand a chance.

In quite incredible fashion, it is Indonesia who now have that opportunity.

- Gabriel Tan 

TITLE RACE IS RED HOT 🔥 | MANCHESTER CITY BEAT BRIGHTON 4-0

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS. DENVER NUGGETS | GAME 3 | NBA 🏀 PLAYOFFS HIGHLIGHTS

INSIDE THE NBA DISCUSS NUGGETS COMMANDING 3-0 LEAD OVER LAKERS

 

REGGIE BUSH IS REINSTATED AS 2005 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER, WITH ORGANIZERS CITING

AP Photo 

 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reggie Bush has his Heisman back.

The Heisman Trust reinstated the former Southern California tailback as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner on Wednesday, citing fundamental changes in the structure of college athletics during the 14 years since Bush forfeited the trophy and the honor.

Bush gave up his Heisman following an NCAA investigation that found he received what were impermissible benefits during his time with the Trojans. College football players are now allowed to profit from their work in many ways, and the Heisman Trust decided it was time to move past the conflict with one of the most exciting players in the sport's history.

“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”

The Heisman Trust has returned the trophy to Bush and the replica to USC. Bush also will be invited to all future Heisman Trophy ceremonies.

Bush won the trophy awarded to the top player in college football after amassing 2,218 yards from scrimmage and scoring 18 touchdowns in 2005. His 784 first-place votes were the fifth most in Heisman history, and the trophy was a crowning achievement for Bush after three seasons at USC as one of the most dynamic college football players in decades.

“I am grateful to once again be recognized as the recipient of the Heisman Trophy,” Bush said in a statement. “This reinstatement is not only a personal victory, but also a validation of the tireless efforts of my supporters and advocates who have stood by me throughout this arduous journey.”

The reinstatement of Bush gives USC a total of eight Heisman winners, most of any school.

USC typically displays its replicas of the Trojans' Heisman Trophies in the lobby of Heritage Hall, its historic football headquarters, while the retired uniform numbers of its Heisman winners are displayed on huge banners draping the Peristyle at the Coliseum during USC home games. Bush's No. 5 jersey is expected to be back among the honored numbers this fall.

“What a historic day!” said USC coach Lincoln Riley, who coached Caleb Williams to the school's most recent Heisman in 2022. “Reggie’s reintroduction to the Heisman Family is a special moment for every person that has been associated with USC football. We are thrilled that Reggie’s athletic accomplishments as one of the greatest to ever play the game can officially be recognized.”

The USC football program wrote “back where it belongs " in a social media post.

AP Photo 

“This is a momentous day for Reggie Bush and the entire USC community as we celebrate the rightful return of his Heisman Trophy,” USC athletic director Jen Cohen said. “Reggie’s impact at USC and on college football as a whole is truly unmatched. He has displayed the utmost resiliency and heart throughout this process and is so deserving of every accolade and trophy he’s ever received. We are grateful to the Heisman Trophy Trust for making this happen.”

Bush had his award vacated in 2010 after USC was hit with massive NCAA sanctions when it was found that Bush and his family received money and gifts from fledgling marketing agents who were hoping to represent him. The sanctions were the final result of a prolonged, antagonistic dispute between the NCAA and USC under former athletic director Mike Garrett.

USC received a two-year postseason ban and lost a whopping 30 scholarships under the sanctions. The NCAA also vacated 14 wins by the Trojans during the heart of Bush's career, including the 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series title game at the Orange Bowl following the 2004 season.

USC was even required to “disassociate" from Bush for 10 years following the NCAA's decision. The school immediately ended its disassociation when that period ended in June 2020, welcoming Bush back to the school.

The Trust said in its statement that its decision followed a “deliberative process” in which it closely monitored changes in the college athletics landscape. That included the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 decision that questioned the legality of the NCAA’s amateurism model and opened the door to athlete compensation; the ability of players to be paid for their name, image and likeness; and the NCAA’s recent proposal to remove the cap on education-related payments.

“Recognizing that the compensation of student athletes is an accepted practice and appears here to stay, these fundamental changes in college athletics led the Trust to decide that now is the right time to return the Trophy to Bush, who unquestionably was the most outstanding college football player of 2005,” the Trust said.

AP Photo 

Public opinion has long favored the return of Bush's trophy. Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner from Texas A&M, said on social media last month that he would not participate in Heisman festivities unless Bush got his trophy back.

Manziel thanked the Trust on Wednesday “for doing what’s right and welcoming a storied member of our history back into the fold. There were many voices throughout this process that stood on the table for Reggie simply because of the kind of human being he is. I look forward to being on that stage with you this December (Reggie Bush) you deserve it.”

Among others praising the decision were Williams, the 2022 winner and the projected No. 1 pick in Thursday's NFL draft; 2001 winner Eric Crouch of Nebraska; and 2011 winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor.

Bush was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft by New Orleans, and he played for five teams over 11 seasons. He is now a commentator and studio analyst for Fox Sports.

Last August, Bush filed a defamation lawsuit against the NCAA for issuing a statement to media in 2021 that said Bush had a “pay-for-play” arrangement. That statement was in response to media inquiries about whether Bush would have his statistics from his USC career reinstated when NIL payments became permissible. Bush contended the statement cast him in a false light.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that I have always acted with integrity and in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA,” Bush said Wednesday. “The allegations brought against me were unfounded and unsupported by evidence, and I am grateful that the truth is finally prevailing.”

- GREG BEACHAM

HEAT 🔥 TOURCH CELTICS WITH 23-3 POINTERS TO EVEN SERIES IN GAME 2

USA Today Sports 

 BOSTON -- The day before his short-handed Heat sought to even the score with the heavily favored Celtics, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra made an intriguing comment about his team's identity.

After being deluged by Boston's 3-point shooting in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, Spoelstra said his team needed to do a better job of letting it fly in order to keep pace.

"I understand the math of it," Spoelstra said, before adding, "We're not going to shoot 50 of them. That's not realistic."

Maybe 50 3-point shots wasn't quite realistic. But the upset-minded Heat did just fine with 43 attempts Wednesday night. And by finishing with a playoff franchise-record 23 treys, the Heat beat the Celtics 111-101 on the road in Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.

The series moves to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday.

The sheer nature of Wednesday's upset is one of the reasons Game 2's outcome was remarkable. Miami trailed by as much as 34 in Game 1, prompting many to believe that, without star wing Jimmy Butler or starter Terry Rozier, this would be a four-game sweep.

Instead, the Heat became the first playoff team in the past 30 years to win by double digits despite being an underdog of 14 points or more.

"We've been doubted a lot through our playoff runs, people saying we couldn't do a lot of stuff that we [eventually] did," said Miami big man Bam Adebayo, who had 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 10 boards. "So for me and my team, why lose belief now? Our backs are against the wall. Everybody's against us. So just use that as fuel.

"Our guys believe we can win. So, let's make it mano a mano -- a cage fight. Let's hoop."

Miami's ability to shape-shift into a 3-point gunning team one game after being lit up from beyond the arc by a five-out, floor-spacing Celtics team was highly impressive. An NBA playoff-record 62.2% of the Heat's points came from their 3-point shooting in Game 2. It was the complete opposite in Game 1, during which just 38.2% of the club's points came from behind the 3 line.

Miami had connected on more 3s by halftime of Game 2 (13) than it had in all of Game 1 (12).

Following Spoelstra's edict, Miami wing Caleb Martin said he and his teammates came out looking to shoot whenever they were open in Game 2.

"I think it was realizing that being passive [as shooters] hurts us. We'd just be playing into their game plan," said Martin, who got booed relentlessly whenever he touched the ball after his late-game midair collision with Celtics star Jayson Tatum in the series opener. "We're too good of a shooting team to hesitate from 3."

Tyler Herro's Game 2 turnaround was the biggest. After scoring just 11 points on 13 shots in the opener, he had 24 points on 13 shots, including six 3-pointers, and added 14 assists (the second most in a game in Heat playoff history).

"Based on how we look right now [in terms of injuries], he's going to be involved one way or another, and sometimes that's going to mean making the right play over and over and over again," Spoelstra said of Herro. "And he made the right read repeatedly tonight."

Down three at halftime, the Heat took the lead and got some separation in the third period. Aside from catching fire -- Miami was 6-for-9 from deep in the quarter -- the club also limited Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis whenever he got the ball in the post. Porzingis finished just 1-for-9 from the field and was a minus-32 on the night.

It clearly disrupted the flow of Boston's usually steady offense and forced Tatum (28 points) and Jaylen Brown (33 points) to do a bit too much off the dribble at times.

"They're obviously undersized and very athletic," Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said. "They've always swarmed and not let KP go one-on-one."

Miami's victory moved Spoelstra to 10-3 in his career in Game 2s after dropping the first game of a playoff series. Of those who have coached 10 such games, only Frank Vogel, who is 8-2 after a Game 1 loss, has a better winning percentage in NBA history.

With the Heat being a considerable underdog, it might be tempting to write off their hot shooting night as an anomaly. But doing so might be selling their recent history with the Celtics short, including their conference finals victory over Boston as an underdog last season. Wednesday's outing marked the fourth time in the past two postseasons Miami has shot 50% or better from beyond the arc against Boston. No other team has hit that figure more than once against a playoff opponent in that span.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said the natural adjustment after Miami's historic shooting performance would be to press up on the Heat's shooters more. But he cautioned against the notion of overcorrecting.

"We're going to have to find a balance, because a lot of those shooters are also good drivers and are good at getting downhill," Mazzulla said. "We have to find that balance of making sure we can close out appropriately so we don't open up the other side of that."

- Chris Herring, ESPN Senior Writer

XAVI AGREES TO REMAIN BARCELONA COACH IN DRAMA

Xavi Hernández will remain Barcelona coach next season. Fran Santiago/Getty Images

 Xavi Hernández has agreed to remain as Barcelona coach until the end of his contract in 2025, reversing his decision to step down in the summer.

Xavi, 44, announced in January that he would walk away from the post at the end of the season following a string of bad results, saying that the job had also taken its toll on him mentally.

However, following a meeting with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday, sources told ESPN that the former Spain international has decided to fulfil his contractual commitment with the Catalan club.

Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement when exiting the meeting late Wednesday night.

"We had a meeting with the coach and the president in which Xavi showed us his commitment," he told reporters. "He is a Barça guy, he is the coach who can lead our project and our young players from the club. I am convinced that he will do a great job, I am very happy for him because he is a great 'culé.'

"I am happy [with Xavi staying] because I always defended the continuity of the project he started two-and-a-half years ago.

"We have not talked [in the meeting] about changes in our team at all. Xavi has shown his enthusiasm and we must support him and his staff to continue with this project."

Xavi was appointed as Barça coach in 2021, leading them to their first league title in four years last season and signing a contract extension until June 30, 2025, with an option for an additional year, in September.

The team ran into difficulties in December and January, though, when they conceded four or more goals in defeats to Girona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal as they were eliminated from the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.

That 5-3 loss to Villarreal in January led to Xavi's announcement that he would leave in the summer, but it also sparked a revival on the pitch.

Barça went 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, with Laporta, Yuste and sporting director Deco all expressing their desire for Xavi to continue during that run.

That streak ended last week as Barça lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League to exit the competition at the quarterfinal stage, missing out on a first semifinal appearance since 2019.

They then lost El Clásico 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday, leaving them 11 points behind the leaders in LaLiga and effectively out of the title race with just six games to be played.

However, sources told ESPN that those results had not affected Barça's position on Xavi and that they still hoped he would reverse his decision.

In addition to the league title won and the faith placed in young players, such as Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, Barça's financial situation also played a role in their desire to keep Xavi.

Mexico international Rafa Márquez, currently in charge of the club's B team, and German coaches Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel were all on the short list to come in if a new coach was needed.

On Wednesday, though, the board convened to discuss the coaching situation and reaffirmed their preference for Xavi to continue, with a final agreement then reached later in the day when Xavi met with Laporta.

- Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens

NEW PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD SET FOR MORE GOALS IN A SEASON

Arsenal have been the highest scoring team in the Premier League this year. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 The Premier League record for most goals scored in a 20-team season was broken on Wednesday night.

Last season's tally of 1084 goals had been the previous record and Harry Maguire's equaliser against Sheffield United took this season's total past that mark.

After Wednesday's action, there have been 1092 goals scored in 335 games this season, with 45 more still left to play.

The average goals scored per game this season has been 3.26 and if this scoring rate is maintained, 1329 goals will be scored by the the time the season finishes in May.

Arsenal have been the highest scoring team in the league this season with 82 goals, while bottom side Sheffield United have shipped the most with 92.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Chelsea's Cole Palmer are tied in the race for the Golden Boot with 20 goals each.

- ESPN

ARNE SLOT 'COULD BE A LIVERPOOL COACH' - VIRGIL VAN DIJK

Feyenoord coach Arne Slot.(Image: Photo by ANP via Getty Images)

 Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said Arne Slot "could be a Liverpool coach" due to his playing style and philosophy.

Slot, who won the Eredivisie title in 2023 and the KNVB Cup last weekend, is the frontrunner to take charge of Liverpool next season.

Speaking after the 2-0 defeat against Everton in the Merseyside derby, a loss that has left put a major dent in Liverpool's Premier League title hopes, Van Dijk said that Slot has the credentials to replace Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.

"I find it difficult to answer it now, of course," Van Dijk told Viaplay. "But I think Arne Slot might be one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment.

"I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has that he could be a Liverpool coach. Only in my opinion, what I also read and hear, of course, is that it is far from finalised.

"We will see. Next year we will focus on that."

Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord in an attempt to negotiate a deal for the club's head coach Slot.

The 45-year-old has emerged as the leading contender for the Liverpool job following Xabi Alonso's decision to remain at Bayer Leverkusen and a cooling in the Premier League club's interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim.

Slot rejected approaches from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last year -- Chelsea also expressed an interest in him -- and chose instead to sign a new three-year contract with the Rotterdam team.

Van Dijk was also outspoken about the performance of his Liverpool teammates against Everton.

"Do they really want to win the league?" Van Dijk said. "If you play like this overall in the game and not win any challenges and give the referee an opportunity to give a free kick away then we have no chance to win the title.0

"[I am] very disappointed in so many ways. Everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance and think if they gave everything.

"It is a tough one and obviously we have to do better against a side near the relegation [positions]. If you play like today we have no chance to consider ourselves in the title race."

- ESPN

TAMAULIPAS BELT | #CANELOMUNGUIA

Road to #CaneloMunguia

5 de Mayo Commemorative Belts

TAMAULIPAS BELT

These special belts created as a special trophy, which is bestowed upon the winner of great fights held around this holiday regardless of the nationality of the contenders.

These Special Belts concept was born in 2017, and since then, every year a Mexican culture is selected to create these belts and present a tribute from the WBC to the world boxing and Mexican costumes.

In the case of boxing, something magical happens, as our sport has two dates on which we can see boxing at its maximum level: May 5 and September 16 (Commemorative dates for Mexicans).

We proudly present you all of our 5 de Mayo commemorative belts so far:

Huichol I

Chiapaneco I

Maya I

Mazahua

Mestizo

Puebla 

Tamaulipas

MANCHESTER UNITED COMEBACK TO BEAT SHEFFIELD UNITED

 

#CROATIARALLY 🇭🇷 | THIERRY NEUVILLE

 

BOXING POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS: DOWN AND OUT; WHO REPLACES DEVIN HANEY IN THE TOP 10?

Devin Haney, above, is out of the top 10 after losing to Ryan Garcia on April 20. Al Bello/Getty Images

 In one of the most entertaining fights between two of boxing's young stars this year, Ryan Garcia defeated Devin Haney by majority decision Saturday night at a packed Barclays Center in New York City.

Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) entered the fight surrounded by controversy, erratic comments and questions about his readiness and fitness to fight. To top that, Garcia was 3.2 pounds over the weight limit the day before the bout.

But as soon as the bell rang, Garcia showed his speed and power and wobbled Haney with his trademark left hook to the chin. Haney recovered well, and won the next four rounds in all three judges' scorecards, but Garcia took over the fight in Rounds 6 and 7, connecting 28 power punches while Haney only landed five. Garcia outlanded Haney the rest of the way 50 to 34 and knocked him down three times (Rounds 7, 10 and 11).

"I shouldn't have put too much pressure on myself to stop him, because every time I hurt him, I went crazy and I couldn't stop him," Garcia said after the fight. "I think the ref [Harvey Dock] should've stopped the fight. [Haney] was really hurt. I felt bad, I even looked at [Bill Haney, Devin's father and trainer] to stop the fight."

The loss sends Haney out of the top 10 from his previous spot at No. 6, opening the door for Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez to make his debut in ESPN's P4P rankings. Garcia received a few votes but not enough yet to crack the top 10.

"After the way Garcia was able to break through Haney's defense, and the tremendous power he displayed with three knockdowns, Garcia cracks my top 10," ESPN boxing writer Mike Coppinger, who ranked Garcia at No. 9 on his list, said. "Haney looked untouchable against Regis Prograis. And while Garcia had a weight advantage, he still was able to land flush on Haney's chin with surprising frequency."

Timothy Bradley Jr., a two-division champion, current ESPN boxing analyst and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, left Haney out of his list after the loss.

"Haney was beaten by a fighter who admittedly was drinking and smoking weeks out before their match," Bradley said. "Someone who was out partying nights before their battle. Someone that has never participated in a championship contest. Haney is talented but is no longer a P4P fighter at the moment."

Our panel of Mike Coppinger, Timothy Bradley Jr., Joe Tessitore, Teddy Atlas, Nick Parkinson, Eric Raskin, Michelle Joy Phelps, Claudia Trejos, Bernardo Osuna, Eric Woodyard, Bernardo Pilatti, Charles Moynihan, Salvador Rodriguez, Jim Zirolli, Michael Mascaro, Aladdin Freeman, Victor Lopez and Damian Delgado Averhoff, shares its votes.

1. TERENCE CRAWFORD     Previous ranking: No. 1

RECORD: 40-0, 31 KOs

DIVISION: Welterweight (undisputed champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (TKO9) Errol Spence Jr., July 29

NEXT FIGHT: Aug. 3 vs. Israil Madrimov

2. NAOYA INOUE     Previous ranking: No. 2

RECORD: 26-0, 23 KOs

DIVISION: Junior featherweight (undisputed champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (KO10) Marlon Tapales, Dec. 26

NEXT FIGHT: May 6 vs. Luis Nery

3. OLEKSANDR USYK     Previous ranking: No. 3

RECORD: 21-0, 14 KOs

DIVISION: Heavyweight (unified champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (TKO9) Daniel Dubois, Aug. 26

NEXT FIGHT: May 18 vs. Tyson Fury

4. CANELO ALVAREZ     Previous ranking: No. 4

RECORD: 60-2-2, 39 KOs

DIVISION: Super middleweight (undisputed champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Jermell Charlo, Sept. 30

NEXT FIGHT: May 4 vs. Jaime Munguia

5. DMITRY BIVOL     Previous ranking: No. 5

RECORD: 22-0, 11 KOs

DIVISION: Light heavyweight (champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Lyndon Arthur, Dec. 23

NEXT FIGHT: June 1 vs. Artur Beterbiev

6. ARTUR BETERBIEV     Previous ranking: No. 7

RECORD: 20-0, 20 KOs

DIVISION: Light heavyweight (unified champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (TKO7) Callum Smith, Jan. 13

NEXT FIGHT: June 1 vs. Dmitry Bivol

7. GERVONTA DAVIS     Previous ranking: No. 8

RECORD: 29-0, 27 KOs

DIVISION: Lightweight

LAST FIGHT: W (KO7) Ryan Garcia, April 22

NEXT FIGHT: June 15 vs. Frank Martin

8. SHAKUR STEVENSON     Previous ranking: No. 9

RECORD: 21-0, 10 KOs

DIVISION: Lightweight champion

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Edwin De Los Santos, Nov. 16

NEXT FIGHT: July 6 vs. Artem Harutyunyan

9. TYSON FURY     Previous ranking: No. 10

RECORD: 34-0-1, 24 KOs

DIVISION: Heavyweight (champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (SD10) Francis Ngannou, Oct. 28

NEXT FIGHT: May 18 vs. Oleksandr Usyk

10. JESSE "BAM" RODRIGUEZ     Previous ranking: Not ranked

RECORD: 19-0, 12 KOs

DIVISION: Flyweight (champion)

LAST FIGHT: W (TKO9) Sunny Edwards, Dec. 16

NEXT FIGHT: June 29 vs. Juan Francisco Estrada

The formula

The rankings are based on a descending points system, with a first-place vote awarding 10 points, a second-place vote awarding nine points, and so on. A tie goes to the fighter with the highest ranking, then the one with the most votes at that ranking.

Others receiving votes: Teofimo Lopez Jr. (20), David Benavidez (11), Vasiliy Lomachenko (5), Devin Haney (4), Ryan Garcia (3), Emanuel Navarrete (3), Errol Spence Jr. (2), Junto Nakatani (2).

How our writers voted

Atlas: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Bivol, 4. Usyk, 5. Davis, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Lomachenko, 8. Alvarez, 9.Benavidez, 10. Haney

Bradley: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3: Usyk, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Stevenson, 8. Davis, 9. Rodriguez, 10. Lopez Jr.

Coppinger: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Fury, 9. Garcia, 10. Haney

Tessitore: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Bivol, 6. Stevenson, 7. Alvarez, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Lopez, 10. Davis

Parkinson: 1. Inoue, 2. Crawford, 3. Alvarez, 4. Usyk, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Bivol, 7. Davis, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Nakatani, 10. Lopez

Raskin: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Bivol, 4. Alvarez, 5. Usyk, 6. Stevenson, 7. Davis, 8. Benavidez, 9. Beterbiev, 10. Rodriguez

Trejos: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Alvarez, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Stevenson, 9. Fury, 10. Garcia

Phelps: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Alvarez, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Stevenson, 9. Fury, 10. Garcia

Osuna: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Stevenson, 9. Lopez, 10. Davis

Rodriguez: 1. Inoue, 2. Crawford, 3. Alvarez, 4. Usyk, 5. Bivol, 6. Davis, 7. Beterbiev, 8. Fury, 9. Rodriguez, 10. Stevenson

Woodyard: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Alvarez, 4. Davis, 5. Fury, 6. Lopez, 7. Usyk, 8. Stevenson, 9. Bivol, 10. Beterbiev

Moynihan: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Alvarez, 4. Usyk, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Bivol, 7. Davis, 8. Fury, 9. Spence, 10. Stevenson

Pilatti: 1. Inoue, 2. Crawford, 3. Usyk, 4. Bivol, 5. Beterbiev, 6. Davis, 7. Benavidez, 8. Navarrete, 9. Rodriguez, 10. Fury

Zirolli: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Stevenson, 4. Alvarez, 5. Usyk, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Bivol, 8. Lopez, 9. Benavidez, 10. Rodriguez

Mascaro: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Bivol, 6. Alvarez, 7. Rodriguez, 8. Lopez, 9. Stevenson, 10. Haney

Freeman: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Beterbiev, 5. Bivol, 6. Alvarez, 7. Stevenson, 8. Rodriguez, 9. Davis, 10. Lomachenko

Lopez: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Alvarez, 5. Bivol, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Fury, 9. Stevenson, 10. Rodriguez

Delgado Averhof: 1. Crawford, 2. Inoue, 3. Usyk, 4. Bivol, 5. Alvarez, 6. Beterbiev, 7. Davis, 8. Fury, 9. Rodriguez, 10. Stevenson

ESPN experts' poll

First place: Crawford (15), Inoue (3)

Second place: Inoue (14), Crawford (3), Alvarez (1)

Third place: Usyk (10), Alvarez (4), Bivol (2), Inoue (1), Stevenson (1)

Fourth place: Bivol (5), Usyk (4), Alvarez (4), Beterbiev (4), Davis (1)

Fifth place: Bivol (7), Alvarez (4), Beterbiev (3), Usyk (2), Davis (1), Fury (1)

Sixth place: Beterbiev (8), Bivol (2), Alvarez (2), Davis (2), Stevenson (2), Fury (1), Lopez (1)

Seventh place: Davis (7), Usyk (2), Stevenson (2), Rodriguez (2), Bivol (1), Alvarez (1), Beterbiev (1), Benavidez (1), Lomachenko (1)

Eighth place: Fury (5), Stevenson (3), Rodriguez (3), Lopez (3), Alvarez (1), Davis (1), Benavidez (1), Navarrete (1)

Ninth place: Rodriguez (4), Davis (2), Stevenson (2), Lopez (2), Benavidez (2), Bivol (1), Beterbiev (1), Fury (1), Spence (1), Garcia (1), Nakatani (1)

10th place: Haney (4), Stevenson (3), Rodriguez (3), Davis (2), Lopez (2), Beterbiev (1), Fury (1), Lomachenko (1), Garcia (1)

- ESPN