National Roundup
Soccer fans are into this year’s World Cup, but the US still isn’t a soccer nation, new poll finds
WASHINGTON | This World Cup has given U.S. soccer fans plenty to cheer about — even if a new survey shows most Americans are still on the sidelines. New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest, even as […]
Merlín the duck takes a trip to the stadium, but FIFA rules keep him out of Mexico match
MEXICO CITY | One of the biggest folk heroes of this World Cup, Merlín the duck arrived outside Mexico City’s stadium on Wednesday to great fanfare — but was ultimately told he could not remain for Mexico’s match against the Czech Republic. After winning hearts across social media, supporters had launched an effort urging organizers […]
World Cup what to know: Ronaldo looks to make history by scoring in 6th World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo, your turn. The 41-year-old is set to enter the World Cup on Wednesday when Portugal meets Congo after impressive performances by the tournament’s other top stars. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland of Norway each had two goals as they opened their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday, while Lionel Messi scored a hat […]
Japan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw
ARLINGTON, Texas | Those blue bags Japan fans waved in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to maintain what has become a cleansing World Cup tradition. The Samurai Blue fans cleaned up before they left the stadium Sunday, picking up trash from the stands […]
The Knicks made a championship run that will be remembered in New York and in NBA history
NEW YORK | By the time Jalen Brunson and the Knicks returned home, it was as easy to find something orange around New York as at Halloween. The city was caught up in this championship run for nearly two months and the party will last at least a few days more, with the Knicks’ first […]
US opens its home World Cup with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay, sparked by Balogun’s 2 goals
The U.S. has opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay Friday, as Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans’ historic three-goal first half and Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time.
Soccer great Pelé’s legacy shines on in his one-time home ahead of the World Cup
SANTOS, Brazil | As the FIFA World Cup approaches, the image of one of Brazil’s most recognizable footballers lives on in Santos, the one-time home of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, far better known as Pelé. Tourists like Mario Álvarez Gamiño, a 67-year-old retired salesperson from Mexico, flock to Santos to see anything that connects the […]
Jason Collins, NBA’s first openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain cancer
Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, his family announced Tuesday. Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He […]