logo
US men will play Ecuador and Australia in October friendlies to prepare for the World Cup

US men will play Ecuador and Australia in October friendlies to prepare for the World Cup

Hamilton Spectator19 hours ago
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — The United States will play Ecuador and Australia in October friendlies as preparation for next year's World Cup.
The No. 15 Americans will meet No. 25 Ecuador on Oct. 10 at Austin, Texas, and No. 24 Australia four days later at Commerce City, Colorado, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Monday.
Coming off its 2-1 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, the U.S. plays No. 23 South Korea on Sept. 6 at Harrison, New Jersey, then faces No. 17 Japan three days later at Columbus, Ohio.
Following the October friendlies, the U.S. will have a pair of exhibitions in both November and March.
After coach Mauricio Pochettino selects his roster ahead of the World Cup being held at stadiums in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the Americans will have a pair of send-off matches in June.
___
AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kirby Smart praises Gunner Stockton's leadership but he's not crowned Georgia's QB1 yet
Kirby Smart praises Gunner Stockton's leadership but he's not crowned Georgia's QB1 yet

Associated Press

time6 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Kirby Smart praises Gunner Stockton's leadership but he's not crowned Georgia's QB1 yet

ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart hasn't officially named Gunner Stockton starting quarterback at Georgia, but it doesn't matter. Since stepping foot on campus, Stockton has prepared like the job is going to be his. Smart said Stockton's commitment to preparation is one of the things he admires most. 'He prepared every game as if he was the starter,' Smart said Tuesday at SEC media days. 'People can say that and say that's coach-speak, but he actually did it. He went in, watched extra tape, and he knew that in any point in time, he could be called up to go into the game and play.' Stockton finished the 2024 season with 45 completions for 440 yards, a touchdown and an interception in five games: He stepped in for an injured Carson Beck and led the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship and started in the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. He was was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and a TD in the playoff semifinal. It was enough to give Smart confidence that Beck's successor was already in the quarterback room. 'He didn't play in a normal environment where you've got a big lead, maybe you're beating an opponent,' Smart said. 'He went in against a top defense in the country in one of the biggest games of the season and performed well for a guy that had not gotten a lot of reps with the (starters). So I thought he handled that moment well and he taught a lot of our young players that you've got to be prepared and ready.' Stockton earned the short trip to Atlanta for this week's event and was peppered with more questions than teammates CJ Allen and Daylen Everette. '(Bringing Stockton) was a message about leadership,' said Smart. 'He's separated himself as a great leader of the team and you try to bring people here that can affect others. He's done that in spring practice.' The starting job isn't necessarily a layup for Stockton. Ryan Puglisi is eyeing the role too. 'Ryan is doing awesome too. Ryan and (Stockton) are going to be competing for everything they do. Gunner knows he's got to go out and play well,' Smart said. If Stockton stays the course, the offense will be his to lead on Aug. 30, when Georgia hosts Marshall in the season opener. 'He's done a tremendous job this summer. Talked to the staff about it and felt like the play he had at the end of the year last year... what he's done this spring, he deserved to come. He is the guy that leads that offense right now,' Smart said. ___ AP college football: and

Major League Baseball, union could let big leaguers in 2028 Olympics during extended All-Star break
Major League Baseball, union could let big leaguers in 2028 Olympics during extended All-Star break

Fox Sports

time12 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

Major League Baseball, union could let big leaguers in 2028 Olympics during extended All-Star break

Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and players' union head Tony Clark say plans are moving ahead exploring the possibility of using major leaguers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a tournament that could be played on an extended All-Star break. 'I think it is a opportunity to market the game on a really global stage,' Manfred told the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Tuesday. 'Obviously the clubs are going to have to endorse this. I mean, this it's a big deal.' MLB met with Los Angeles organizers Monday in Atlanta ahead of the All-Star Game and Manfred said the Olympic officials were meeting with the Major League Baseball Players Association. 'There's a lot of work that still needs to be done,' Clark told the BBWAA in a separate session. "We do know players are interested in playing, whether it's for the Team USA or any number of other teams around the world. ... There's just a lot of conversation that needs to be had sooner rather than later to see how viable this is, but we're hopeful that we can figure our way through it for the benefit of the game." The World Baseball Softball Confederation said Monday the baseball tournament will be played from July 15-20 at Dodger Stadium. MLB is considering whether it can interrupt its 2028 season to allow major leaguers to participate, which could necessitate changes to the sport's national television contracts. 'They put out a schedule. They tell you it's not going to move. We'll see whether there's any movement on that,' Manfred said. 'It is possible to take it, to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer, obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November. That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations, but it's possible.' MLB did not allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when Nippon Professional Baseball interrupted its season and Japan beat the U.S. 2-0 in the gold medal game. 'In the event that major league players are going to play, what does that mean and what does that look like?" Clark said. "And perhaps just as importantly, what does it mean for those players who aren't participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made? What type travel considerations and support need to considered? What does that means in regards to insurance?' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3

FIFA says applications for first World Cup ticket draw will open Sept. 10
FIFA says applications for first World Cup ticket draw will open Sept. 10

Hamilton Spectator

time13 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

FIFA says applications for first World Cup ticket draw will open Sept. 10

TORONTO - Soccer fans looking to take in the 2026 World Cup will be able to apply for FIFA's first ticket draw starting Sept. 10, soccer's world governing body announced Tuesday in a release. FIFA did not say when the draw would take place for the tournament in Canada, the United States and Mexico, but said tickets would be released in phases. FIFA said ticket releases will continue up to the tournament final on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J., but did not detail how many chances to buy will occur or what the phases will entail. The organization did encourage fans to register interest on its website ( A FIFA ID will be required to participate in the draws. World Cup tickets are already available for Canadians willing to pay a premium through deluxe packages, provided by On Location, FIFA's official tournament hospitality partner. They start at $2,500 for a single-game package. Additionally, Canada Soccer is expected to unveil its revamped Canada Red program at the end of July, with different membership levels offering access to a lottery for Canadian game tickets. The 2026 World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City. The expanded 48-team competition features 13 games each in Canada and Mexico and the remaining 78 in the U.S. The 28th-ranked Canadian men will open June 12 at Toronto's BMO Field before shifting to Vancouver for their remaining group games June 18 and 24 at B.C. Place Stadium. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store