Sports
Ben Stokes: Durham chief Tim Bostock ‘bemused’ by doubts over England captain’s state of mind
An investigation into the nightclub incident, when Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson were present when a member of security staff was struck by a Saracens rugby player, remains ongoing.
While the England and Wales Cricket Board is hopeful of a swift resolution, no update is expected on Friday.
There remains a growing likelihood Stokes will return as England captain for the third Test at Trent Bridge next week.
“This is a difficult situation,” added Bostock. “It sounds like common sense is prevailing.
“We are happy to have Ben here but not under these circumstances.”
England introduced a curfew after a number of off-field incidents dogged their defeat in last winter’s Ashes in Australia.
In the aftermath of the incident on 8 June there were fears Stokes would retire, ending a storied England career. Those fears were allayed when he returned to training with Durham last weekend.
He has continued to train with his county through the past week and, with the investigation not preventing the all-rounder – nor fast bowler Atkinson – from playing in domestic, both returned to the field on Friday.
After having a catch dropped in his first over, Stokes had returned figures of 0-26 in nine overs by tea on day one against Northants at Chester-le-Street.
Atkinson dismissed Kiran Carlson and Ben Kellaway in his first 11 overs in Surrey’s visit to Glamorgan.
“[Stokes] should be playing for England,” Bostock said. “Hopefully will be back captaining next week.”
If Stokes and Atkinson are picked to play in Nottingham they may have to be withdrawn from the latter part of the county fixtures, given the Test begins on Thursday.
Belarus Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning the singles quarter final match against Czech’s Nikola Bartunkova at the WTA500 Berlin Tennis Open tournament in Berlin on June 19, 2026. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
BERLIN–World number one Aryna Sabalenka stormed back from the cusp of defeat to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova and reach the last four of the WTA 500 Berlin Open on Friday.
Sabalenka won 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in sweltering conditions in the German capital in the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event.
“I was thinking ‘wow, that’s how it is to play against me’,” a smiling Sabalenka said of her opponent’s early dominance, adding: “I thought it was her match for sure… I was just trying to stay in the game.
“I think it was a lucky match. I somehow, miraculously, came back in that second set.”
Bartunkova, the world number 62, stormed to take the first set and led 4-0 in the second as a visibly frustrated Sabalenka struggled on serve and could not pose any kind of danger with her return.
With elimination looming, the Belarusian suddenly clicked into gear, winning five straight games before taking the second set in a tiebreak.
The heat began to wear on both players in the third set, with Sabalenka breaking her opponent three times but suffering two breaks herself before taking the match in two hours and 23 minutes.
Sabalenka will face American world number four Jessica Pegula, who beat close friend and podcast co-host Madison Keys 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) earlier on Friday.
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After 16 NHL seasons, three Stanley Cups and a couple of Olympic gold medals, Jonathan Toews has announced that he’s calling it a career.
Toews spent last season with the Winnipeg Jets — his hometown team — after sitting out for two full seasons.
At a press conference on Friday, the future Hall of Famer officially hung up his skates.
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“I’m way more nervous than I thought I would be,” Toews said after stepping up to the podium. “I just want to recognize, first of all — it’s a privilege to be standing up here to say goodbye to the game of hockey and the NHL. I think there’s a lot of great players out there that don’t get this opportunity.
“So, [I] just want to be cognizant of that. Thank you all for coming today.”
Jonathan Toews spent his final NHL season playing for his hometown Winnipeg Jets. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
Well, Toews is hanging ’em up the way he played: with class.
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And what a career it was. I mean, the hardware — which also includes a Conn Smythe, a Selke and a Mark Messier Leadership Award — speaks for itself, but look at these numbers.
Of course, Toews is best remembered for his 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. They drafted him in 2006, and he went on to lead them to three Stanley Cups in 2010 (when they ripped this Flyers fan’s heart out of his chest), 2013 and 2015.
But one of the most admirable things about Toews’ career is how he battled back after two years out of the league due to inflammatory and immune-system issues that also affected his last couple of years with the Blackhawks.
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Jonathan Toews spent 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and led them to three Stanley Cups. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
What a career. Those early 2010s Blackhawks teams were nasty, and they were all led by Toews.
There’s no question that he’ll be getting a call from the Hockey Hall of Fame in a few years.
Sports
Why Christian Pulisic is not playing USA’s World Cup match vs Australia? | FIFA World Cup 2026
U.S. star Christian Pulisic missed today’s World Cup match against Australia because of a calf injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Ricardo Pepi.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino made the announcement during an interview with Fox about 90 minutes before the kickoff at Lumen Field in Seattle. On Thursday, Pochettino said Pulisic is in a “much better” spot than he was last Friday, and that he would be available for the Americans’ next game against Turkey if he could not play against Australia.
“Today, he was training in the morning in the camp and I’ve seen the feelings are good,” Pochettino told Fox on Friday. “I hope as soon as possible he can be ready to be selected again and to be part of the team. Now, we need to be focused on our team and the players that are going to play.”
The move is a setback for a U.S. team that defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its opener on June 12 and with a win would clinch advancement to the round of 32.
Pulisic left the game at halftime after helping create the opening goal by splitting a pair of defenders before passing to Weston McKennie, then setting up Folarin Balogun for the second goal.
Pochettino said the 27-year-old attacker was kicked in the back of his left calf during a training session ahead of the game and felt tightness during the match. Pulisic trained on his own in the leadup to the game against Australia.
Pulisic has 33 goals in 87 international appearances.
Pepi was the only addition to the U.S. starting lineup. Pochettino decided to insert the 23-year-old striker, who was one of the final cuts from the 2022 World Cup roster, over a few other accomplished players.
Brenden Aaronson, a winger who had four goals and five assists for Leeds last season, and Tim Weah, a Marseille forward who can impact a game with his speed on either wing, both remain on the bench.
Gio Reyna, who scored the Americans’ final goal against Paraguay and has provided moments of dynamic playmaking from the wing, will be a reserve once again.
With Pepi in for Pulisic, the U.S. hopes to reward its supporters and justify the wave of momentum that is building around the team.
“What excites me is that the entire world, the entire nation is behind us,” midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “I think that they enjoyed watching us play, and at the end of the day what we want to do is inspire and motivate the next generation. … We have to build off it, and that’s the truth. We can’t just talk about it: We have to show out against Australia.
FILE – Alex Eala celebrates after a match in the Berlin Open. She beat Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals. –BERLIN OPEN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–For a second straight night, Alex Eala toppled a top-ranked player, this time beating world No. 8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the semifinals of the 2026 Berlin Open.
The result came just 24 hours after she ousted world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 grass-court tournament.
Eala came out firing against the more experienced Svitolina, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set and taking control of the match, which lasted one hour and 23 minutes.
In the second set, the Filipino tennis ace, who entered Berlin as a wildcard, broke Svitolina three times for a 5-2 lead before the Ukrainian won back-to-back games to pull within one.
But Eala once again showed composure and closed out the match on serve.
Marching ON 💪
Alex Eala is a semifinalist in Berlin, defeating Svitolina 6-3, 6-4!#BTO26 pic.twitter.com/k0zHYyYfWt
— wta (@WTA) June 19, 2026
“Of course, Elina is a huge fighter and I’ve seen it many times. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. So to be able to compete with her today is such an honor,” Eala said. “I really admire her. She’s a mother and I find her to act with such elegance and strength.”
Eala has now beaten six top-10 players in the WTA rankings, a run that began during her Miami Open campaign last year that launched her into stardom.
Against Svitolina, she once again found a way against a big-hitting opponent with her clinical returning.
“I think I’m getting better [at absorbing the pace]. I hope I’m getting better,” Eala said. “Of course, being exposed to this kind of level more often really pushes you to your limits and forces you to showcase what you’ve got. Some weeks are better than others, and I’m really enjoying this week.”
Eala faces fellow 21-year-old Linda Nosková, who beat Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 earlier Friday, in the Final Four.
Also reaching the semifinals are Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka.
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The Stanley Cup Final sits in the rear-view, the NHL Draft approaches, and around the league, 32 clubs are setting plans in motion to improve their squads before the 2026-27 campaign arrives.
We’ve already seen a couple deals drop, with new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka acquiring defender Darren Raddysh and trading away former starting netminder Joseph Woll in separate deals this month.
As the trade market continues to heat up in the lead-up to July 1, here’s a look at the latest chatter from the NHL rumour mill:
Bowen Byram could move on from Sabres in search of a bigger role
The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a significant step forward, having ended their lengthy post-season drought and won their first playoff round in two decades. But change might be coming to the Sabres’ promising young roster. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, defender Bowen Byram may be seeking a change of address in pursuit of a bigger role.
“This has nothing to do with money,” Seravalli said on a recent episode of Frankly Hockey. “This has nothing to do with place — Bowen Byram likes Buffalo, he likes his teammates, he likes the trajectory of the Sabres. This has everything to do with opportunity and a continual challenge, as I understand it, that exists within Bowen Byram. He sees himself as a No. 1 defenceman in the NHL, and watching him in these playoffs, it’s hard to argue that that’s not the case.”
The 25-year-old blue-liner is heading into the second season of a two-year, $12.5-million pact he inked in Buffalo in 2025. He’s fresh off putting up a career-best 42 points for the Sabres in 2025-26. Byram spent four years in Colorado — winning a Stanley Cup with the club in 2022 — before he was traded to Buffalo in 2024.
As was the case in Colorado, where perennial Norris Trophy nominee Cale Makar leads the blue line, the situation in Buffalo leaves little room for Byram to take the next step.
“Bowen Byram is never going to be PP1 for the Buffalo Sabres,” Seravalli said. “He doesn’t have a path to be the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 defenceman. (Rasmus) Dahlin’s there, Owen Power already makes more than him, so you theoretically think that Owen Power is ahead of him in the pecking order potentially as well. … He thinks he can be the guy. And I think that Bowen Byram can be the guy. The only way to do that is to not re-sign in Buffalo when next season ends and he becomes an unrestricted free agent and can go test the market.
“And the Sabres are sitting here thinking, ‘Well, if he’s not going to re-sign, then maybe we want to jump ahead and get pieces back that we can work with now, and improve our team in the here and now with such a good player available, that it might make sense to move on.’”
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32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
Bruins listening to offers for veteran centreman Pavel Zacha
This summer’s free agent class is plenty light on top-end centres who could swing things for a club looking to find some progress next season. Of the names highlighted by Sportsnet’s Luke Fox in his look at the top UFAs on the market, only one does their work down the middle: Boone Jenner. But the Boston Bruins may be throwing another name into the mix.
“In a market starved for centres, the Bruins are listening on Pavel Zacha, which is an intriguing name to say the least. There’s a big difference between listening and wanting to move him, though,” LeBrun wrote. “My understanding is that the Bruins’ top priority this summer is to extend Zacha if possible. That can happen as of July 1. He’s got one year left on his deal at a $4.75 million AAV and obviously will be looking for a raise after posting career bests with 30 goals and 65 points this past season.
“But how those talks go will be balanced with whether teams step up in a real way in trade talks.”
The veteran pivot, who spent seven years in New Jersey before being traded to Boston, has a no-trade list allowing him to nix a deal to eight teams, according to LeBrun.
Rumours have swirled around St. Louis Blues centre Robert Thomas’s name for months, with the veteran seeming very likely to move at different points over the past year. According to LeBrun and Seravalli, though, Thomas is now off the market and looks set to remain in St. Louis. His teammate Jordan Kyrou, though, is on the board.
“The Blues explored the trade market aggressively before the March 6 trade deadline, but it never got to the point that they asked him for a list of teams or to waive his no-move clause,” LeBrun wrote of Thomas. “Now, with the changeover from Doug Armstrong to Alexander Steen at GM, which will be official July 1, I’ve heard from a few teams that believe Steen has told Thomas that he doesn’t intend to move him.”
Added Seravalli: “Teams have called to ask in the last few days, what is the situation with Robert Thomas, is he available, and they have been told, ‘No.’ But Jordan Kyrou is very much available.”
Kyrou is heading into Year 4 of an eight-year, $65-million extension he signed back in 2022. The 28-year-old winger, who was drafted by the Blues in 2016, is coming off an 18-goal, 46-point season for St. Louis. A year prior, he put up a dominant 36-goal, 70-point season for the Blues.
Maple Leafs asking for ‘exorbitant’ return in calls on Matthew Knies
In his latest NHL Buzz piece, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are still considering moving winger Matthew Knies. According to Seravalli, interested teams have been told the price for acquiring the young power forward is sky high.
“The appetite around the league is incredibly strong,” Seravalli said. “It’s hard to find a player with this profile, this size, this productivity, this age, that also is signed to a secure deal for five years at $7.75 million. … Here’s my understanding of the situation: teams are calling the Toronto Maple Leafs. They know that Matt Knies’ name was out there previously under the old regime leading up into the trade deadline. That didn’t materialize, it didn’t happen, but now teams are calling. The Leafs are not hanging up the phone under John Chayka. They’re entertaining offers.
“They’re willing to talk about Matt Knies. But I’m told from some of the teams that have been in contact with the Toronto Maple Leafs that the price is exorbitant. They feel like the price is incredibly high.”
The 23-year-old winger put up 23 goals and a career-best 66 points for the Maple Leafs last season, and posted a career-high 29 goals a year prior.
Patrick Kane undecided on whether to return to Detroit or find new club
After parting ways with his longtime club, the Chicago Blackhawks, and playing out a brief stint in New York, veteran Patrick Kane has logged three productive campaigns in Detroit. The three-time Stanley Cup champion posted 57 points in 67 games for the Red Wings last season, and a pair of 20-goal campaigns in Detroit colours before that.
But according to LeBrun, with the Red Wings missing out on the post-season in all three years Kane has been on the squad, it seems a change could be coming for the 37-year-old.
“Pending UFA Patrick Kane definitely wants to play another season, his agent Pat Brisson said on Wednesday. That’s all Brisson would share,” wrote LeBrun. “My understanding is that the Red Wings do want Kane back and have made that clear. What remains undetermined is whether Kane wants to return.
“He certainly might, but he’s mulling things over at the moment about whether to stay put or head to market.”
Sports
FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 schedule, live match timings (IST), streaming | FIFA World Cup 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage enters a crucial phase on June 20 as teams take the field for their second matches, with qualification scenarios beginning to take shape. Several nations have the chance to secure an early place in the Round of 32, while others face must-win encounters after disappointing starts.
Heavyweights Brazil and the Netherlands will be under pressure to deliver, while the USA, Australia, Morocco and Sweden look to build on positive opening-round results in a packed day of action.
USA vs Australia
The United States and Australia meet in a pivotal Group D clash at FIFA World Cup 2026, with both sides aiming to build on winning starts and move closer to the Round of 32. The USMNT impressed in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia secured a disciplined 2-0 win against Türkiye.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side will monitor captain Christian Pulisic’s fitness after a minor calf issue, though he is expected to feature alongside in-form striker Folarin Balogun. Australia, meanwhile, will once again rely on the pace and creativity of rising star Nestory Irankunda, while goalkeeper Patrick Beach arrives full of confidence after an eight-save clean sheet in the opener. The winner could take a major step toward qualification.
Scotland vs Morocco
Morocco and Scotland are set for a crucial Group C showdown at Boston Stadium in Foxborough as both sides look to strengthen their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification hopes. Scotland sit atop the group after a narrow 1-0 win over Haiti, though their performance was far from convincing and they created few clear-cut chances.
Brazil vs Haiti
Brazil head into their second Group C match against Haiti seeking their first win of FIFA World Cup 2026 after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Morocco. Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain among the tournament favourites but know a victory is essential to strengthen their qualification hopes before facing Scotland.
Brazil have dominated previous meetings with Haiti, winning all three encounters and scoring 17 goals across those matches. Haiti, meanwhile, showed promise despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Scotland and will look to build on that performance. However, another loss could end their hopes of progressing, making this a must-win encounter for both teams.
Turkey vs Paraguay
Türkiye and Paraguay face a crucial Group D clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara as both teams look to revive their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns. With the USA and Australia currently leading the group, defeat could severely damage either side’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Türkiye arrived at the tournament in strong form after ending a long World Cup absence and building an eight-match unbeaten run, but suffered a disappointing defeat to Australia in their opener. Paraguay, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years but were beaten 4-1 by hosts USA and now desperately need points.
Netherlands vs Sweden
Netherlands and Sweden meet in a pivotal Group F encounter at Houston’s NRG Stadium, with both sides targeting a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds. The Dutch were held to an entertaining 2-2 draw by Japan in their opener and will be eager to secure their first win of the tournament.
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FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 matches |
||
|
Group |
Match |
Time (IST) |
|
Group D |
USA vs Australia |
00:30:00 |
|
Group C |
Scotland vs Morocco |
03:30:00 |
|
Group C |
Brazil vs Haiti |
06:00:00 |
|
Group D |
Türkiye vs Paraguay |
08:30:00 |
|
Group F |
Netherlands vs Sweden |
22:30:00 |
FIFA World Cup 2026: June 20 matches live streaming and telecast details
Which two teams will feature in the first game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?
USA and Australia will kick-start the June 20 action of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at 12:30 am IST.
Which two teams will feature in the second game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?
Scotland and Morocco will play in the second match of the day from 3:30 am IST.
Which two teams will feature in the third game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?
Brazil will play their 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Haiti in the third game of the day at 6 am IST.
Which two teams will feature in the fourth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?
Turkey will play their 2nd FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Paraguay in the third game of the day at 8:30 am IST.
Which two teams will feature in the fifth game of FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 20?
Netherlands and Sweden will play in the fifth match of the day from 10:30 pm IST.
Where to watch the live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 matches in India?
The broadcast of the June 20 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels for fans in India.
Where to watch the live streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 June 20 matches in India?
The live streaming of the June 18 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available on the Zee5 app and website for viewers in India.
World Cup co-hosts USA aim to keep the party going as they take on Australia in Seattle on Friday after kicking off the tournament with a crushing defeat of Paraguay. But they will be wary of an Australia side that also got their campaign started with a famous victory. Follow our live, minute-by-minute coverage.
USA winger Christian Pulisic will miss the key Group D game against Australia due to injury, after training separately from his teammates this week , coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. Ricardo Pepi, who came off the bench in the Paraguay game, replaces Pulisic as the only change.
The starting XIs
USA: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi; Folarin Balogun
Australia: Patrick Beach; Jacob Italiano, Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Nishan Velupillay; Mohamed Toure
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: All the fixtures
The Minnesota Vikings have already revealed a few surprises this offseason, including firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah three and a half weeks after the regular season ended and signing Kyler Murray for $1.3 million. So, what’s next?
The following list highlights surprises that could reasonably occur. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most surprising possible development).
Vikings’ Depth Chart May Not Be a Finished Product
6. Ivan Pace Jr. Gets Released
When Minnesota began the offseason, the off-ball linebacking situation looked murky. Eric Wilson was scheduled for free agency, Pace Jr. was not guaranteed to return, and rookie Jake Golday had not entered the roster orbit. The depth chart revealed Blake Cashman — and that was pretty much it.
Then, of course, Wilson re-signed, along with Pace Jr., and the Vikings used a 2nd-Round pick on Golday from Cincinnati.
There’s a world where Pace Jr. may not make the 53-man roster, believe it or not, if Golday is ready for action in Week 1. Minnesota benched Pace Jr. early in 2025, and the cap hit to drop him this summer is quite low: $0 added in dead money.
The Vikings could also rather easily sign a veteran linebacker like Bobby Okereke or Devin White while releasing Pace Jr., who struggled to tackle last season.
5. Vikings Trade for Another RB
Minnesota could explore the RB trade market. Trey Benson, for example, is a prime candidate. The Arizona Cardinals now have Jeremiyah Love, James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, and Benson in the same backfield, creating a challenging situation for distributing carries. Benson, like fellow 2024 draftee Jonathon Brooks, has also dealt with injuries.
By his third year, Benson would ideally be vying for a more prominent role. Instead, Arizona acquired another back and retained Conner. Teams typically avoid such a crowded backfield for players they view as future stars. If the Cardinals are open to discussions, the Vikings should inquire for a 6th-Round pick or so.
Jaylen Wright presents another intriguing possibility. With Frank Smith, formerly Miami’s offensive coordinator, now serving as Minnesota’s assistant head coach, a connection already exists. Wright is currently Miami’s RB2, but the arrival of Ollie Gordon this summer could alter the depth chart. If Wright finds himself as the RB3, a new environment might be beneficial.
His speed is a major asset, with a reported 4.38 40-yard dash time. Through two seasons, he has accumulated approximately 600 scrimmage yards and recently turned 23. Like Benson, Wright could be gettable for a late-round pick.
4. Another WR Signed — Like Deebo Samuel or DeAndre Hopkins
The Vikings signed Jauan Jennings to complete their deepest WR corps since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. But why not more firepower if the price is right?
Samuel is unsigned through three months of free agency. Hopkins already stated publicly in March that he’d love to play for the Vikings with Kyler Murray at the helm. Minnesota could opt for an embarrassment of riches at WR, enabling “no excuses” for Murray or J.J. McCarthy in 2026.
3. Extra TE Enters the Mix — Like Michael Mayer or Darren Waller
Mayer remains buried on the Las Vegas Raiders’ depth chart because Brock Bowers is just too good. He doesn’t get the targets that most envisioned when Las Vegas spent 2nd-Round draft capital on him in 2023. Mayer needs a fresh start, and Minnesota’s TE1, T.J. Hockenson, is on tap for free agency next March.
Waller is a free agent with ties to the aforementioned Smith from his time in Las Vegas and Miami. Signing Waller would cost next to nothing and provide the Vikings’ offense with a sweet redzone target.
2. Rookie CB Charles Demmings Wins a Starter’s Job
The summer hype train has already left the station regarding Demmings — and it could be real. The 5th-Rounder has the physical tools to shine in the NFL, and Minnesota is long overdue for a cornerback that it organically drafted to work out. The last one to succeed was Xavier Rhodes or Trae Waynes over a decade ago.
The Vikings’ roster is also ripe for a cornerback to emerge. Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre are good or decent defensive backs, but none are shutdown corners. If an unsung cornerback wants to take flight out of nowhere, Minnesota’s depth chart is prime territory.
1. J.J. McCarthy Does the Unthinkable by Upsetting Kyler Murray
Perhaps McCarthy really did improve his mechanics from January to June. It’s not inconceivable for a quarterback in his third year to take the next step. It really isn’t.
Murray remains the heavy favorite to win the QB1 job, but the Vikings could face a champagne-problem reality in August and September — what if McCarthy just looks too damn good to leave on the bench? Murray would not be fond of signing with the Vikings and immediately getting pushed to the QB2 spot on the depth chart, but that doesn’t really matter if McCarthy looks like the real deal.
Not long ago, McCarthy was considered the unabashed QB1 in Minnesota, taking the cake over 2025 offseason options like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Aaron Jones.
Maybe McCarthy was just a bit late with his maturation and development.
Vikings DC Brian Flores tends to simmer with competitive intensity that can be intimidating. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel understands the reality as well as (or better) than anyone since the pair go back to the Miami Dolphins days before a reunion in the Twin Cities.
Recently, Minnesota’s top defender chatted with the media. What was his message to the youngsters who are looking to adjust to the intensity of the defensive strategist known as The Mad Scientist? Check it out: “My biggest piece of advice would be just applying what he teaches us in the classroom. He has big focal points that he wants to be done each practice. So if you do anything, I would say listen to what he wants, what he’s preaching that day, and apply it on the field.”
Andrew Van Ginkel Offers Some Wisdom
Spurring the question was an earlier answer from safety Josh Metellus. Per the defensive back, the focus for the young fellas rested in seeing through the manner in which Coach Flores speaks (think blunt and fiery). Rather than get too worried about the passion, focus on the specifics of what’s being preached.
Wise words.
Andrew Van Ginkel’s additional comments add another layer of wisdom. Per the veteran edge defender, Flores isn’t looking to deceive anyone in the classroom portion of things. Flores establishes what the priority is and then insists that his players work toward fulfilling the central tenets of that priority. Sounds basic, but some players likely miss the point.
Note, as well, that Van Ginkel offered up a few more thoughts.
“He’s giving you little nuggets and if you can’t listen to what he’s saying and then go apply it, it’s wasted time to him,” Van Ginkel clarifies. “He wants you to figure it out instantly. Especially if he’s putting a big emphasis on it, you should get that right.”
— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Did Clarify a Key Detail in Vikings’ QB Battle —
— READ MORE: Is GM Teasley Pondering an Add at Edge Rusher —
— READ MORE: A Vikings Lineman Has Been Gaining Ground for Job Opening —
Presumably, there’s some leeway for these guys to continue being human. Put differently, Andrew Van Ginkel alongside the broader crew of defenders still need to be allowed to make mistakes. Furthermore, there will need to be room for the coaching staff to layer knowledge, slowly building up the players’ abilities as the complexities of ball get mastered over time.
What Van Ginkel appears to be referring to is more general (if I could make an educated guess). Think, for instance, a more intense focus on rallying to the ball carrier before then looking to strip the ball away. Not doing so could lead to Flores losing patience. After all, that’s more of an effort issue than a skill issue, meaning that it’s fully within each guy’s ability to fulfill what is being demanded.
Flores, an old fashioned guy who is a Bill Belichick disciple, values work ethic, compete, physicality, and aggression. Seeing him ask his players to manifest those attributes in specific ways before then not doing so in practice may lead to a player (or two) getting an earful.
Last year, Andrew Van Ginkel got slowed down by injury. He did manage to get into a dozen games, starting eleven while offering his DC 582 snaps.
Van Ginkel’s final statistics show 54 tackles, 7 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 10 passes defended, and 2 fumble recoveries. If there’s a player who best embodies what it means to be a Flores defender, Andrew Van Ginkel is probably it (but Josh Metellus is close).
The Minnesota Vikings will roll into training camp in roughly a month and a half. Players would be wise to pay attention to what the DC wants out of them.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Sports
USA vs Australia, FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score: Will USMNT have Christian Pulisic available against Australia?
The United States and Australia both opened the tournament with victories and now sit level on three points. The Americans currently occupy first place after a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Australia follow closely after a disciplined 2-0 triumph against Türkiye. The winner of this contest will automatically secure a place in the Round of 32 and take sole possession of top spot in Group D.
For the United States, this tournament carries particular significance as one of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. The Stars and Stripes are appearing at their 12th FIFA World Cup and their second consecutive tournament after reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar. Under Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge in September 2024 following Gregg Berhalter’s departure, the squad has embraced a more ambitious approach built around talents such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna.
The Americans remain one of the oldest names in World Cup history. Their greatest achievement came at the inaugural tournament in 1930 when they reached the semi-finals, while their most recent campaign ended in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands. Their emphatic victory over Paraguay offered an encouraging start as they attempt to improve upon recent performances and take advantage of home support throughout the competition.
Australia arrive in Seattle carrying momentum of their own. The Socceroos have qualified for six consecutive World Cups since returning to the tournament in 2006 following a 32-year absence. Twice they have reached the Round of 16, first in Germany in 2006 and again in Qatar in 2022, where they pushed eventual champions Argentina before narrowly exiting the competition.
Tony Popovic, a member of Australia’s celebrated 2006 squad, now leads the national team after replacing Graham Arnold in late 2024. His influence was immediately visible against Türkiye as Australia delivered one of the most tactically disciplined performances of the opening matchday. Despite conceding possession for long periods, the Socceroos remained compact, organised and clinical, earning a 2-0 victory that significantly boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds once again.
History offers little guidance between these teams. The United States lead the overall series with two wins, one draw and one defeat, but this will be their first competitive World Cup meeting. With qualification potentially at stake, first place in Group D available and momentum for the knockout rounds hanging in the balance, the encounter carries all the ingredients of a defining World Cup night in Seattle.
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