Sports
‘It feels exactly the same’: New USMNT hit same World Cup stumbling blocks in loss
SEATTLE – “It feels exactly the same,” Tyler Adams quipped.
The build-up to the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup round of 16 was certainly different this time around. Between playing on home soil in front of electric, sold-out crowds and a string of entertaining wins behind them, head coach Mauricio Pochettino‘s side seemed in as great a position to reach their first quarterfinal in 24 years when they met Belgium at Lumen Field on Monday.
In an instant, though, it was over – Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere scored nine minutes in, the forward taking advantage of a team that had not hit its stride and never would. A 4-1 loss was a fair result for a group that did not actually rise to the occasion, barely taking a stab at getting into the game and booking their fourth straight round of 16 exit at the World Cup.
“Belgium, they had a good game plan and they played balls in behind us when we pressed and it caused a lot of problems, won a lot of second balls and they were good in the boxes,” Christian Pulisic said. “That’s where the game comes down to and they were clinical and it was not quite enough from us.”
Pulisic, who came off in the 59th minute after tweaking his ankle and knee in the same play, offered the natural conceit that Belgium were simply better, both on paper and on the day. It was always destined to be the case at some point during this World Cup, no matter how ambitious or hopeful people were about this version of the USMNT. He is not wrong that small things went against them, the team always trying to punch above their weight.
The moments that actually slipped away from them, though, were a step below the actual level expected of them. Hans Vanaken‘s goal to put Belgium 3-1 up in the 57th minute was the instance where it all slipped away, Matt Freese with a blunder of epic proportions to seal the deal.
“Disappointed for my involvement and error in judgment on the third goal,” Freese, whose rise from zero caps at the start of June 2025 to Monday’s game likely means his international career will be defined by that great mistake, said. “It’s part of the position. I know the guys in front of me did everything they could today to get the win and I’m so proud of them and I wish that that moment was different and wish the result was different … I felt him so close, I thought he was going to kick my leg and so I tried to get out of it.”
Freese is merely one of several players whose opportunities came and went, just as the team’s did. Pulisic is perhaps most representative of it – an injury kept him out of the second half of their win over Paraguay, the entirety of their win over Australia and much of their loss to Turkiye in the group stage. Another one meant he exited Monday’s game early, too, though against Belgium, he was also invisible on the pitch until he went down writhing in pain in the opening minutes of the second half. The dejection was obvious as he did his post-match rounds – a decade after becoming the face of his generation with a World Cup on home soil on the horizon, he did not manage to register all that much.
“I felt really good this summer playing with the guys and I thought my level was high,” he reflected. “It’s disappointing. I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to and to try to help us to really push and get over this next step of beating a really good team so I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try to stay positive. I did a lot of good things and the team did as well.”
The player whose name recognition grew the most was Folarin Balogun, who was caught in the quagmire of a suspension he graciously accepted and then was rescinded in the most controversial of ways. His spot in the lineup was unsurprising if an unwanted signal of organizational incompetence but he, too, was ineffective on Monday.
“When you know you’re given a red card and then usually the protocol is you usually don’t play the following game and then when that decision’s overturned, of course it’s going to controversial so for me, it’s something that didn’t really surprise me too much but as a player, my job is just to go out there and be focused on my job, “he said.
The team rejected the notion that Balogun’s case offered a distraction or that the moment was too big, even if it felt like the lights were too bright for them. They had no answer for Belgium but it was not simply a tactical matter – their trademark habits of the World Cup had gone out the door and it remains hard to know why.
“It’s difficult to say but I can only be honest,” Balogun said. “I don’t think we had a good game today, collectively. We played well in the other games. We were very intense, we were able to generate energy with the crowd and today we didn’t give the crowd a lot to cheer for. That’s the most disappointing thing and that’s the part that hurts the most for me personally. We have to wait four years again to be in this position, which is hurtful again.”
Even the team’s most honest players like Adams had no answers, spitting out platitudes about how elite sports work rather than knowing what to say as a great opportunity to make history and capture a nation’s always-evasive attention span was squandered.
“That’s a great question,” Adams said. “Wish I had the answer right now. I don’t know. I don’t know. I think that just overall, it was the small things. Second ball’s not falling to you when you feel like before, they were in the right spot and then winning them. Just little gaps that were being exploited. Just small connections in the game where in other games just felt like everything was a little bit cooler and sharper … I don’t think it was the opponent, the speed of the game, the moment, I don’t think any of that. I think it’s just small details of the game that got away from us. They get away from you like that and then obviously you’re going to lose the game.”
The peak years of the USMNT’s golden generation – or at least until another golden generation shows up – got away from them, even if not all of it was a surprise. A loss to Belgium, formidable even in their inconsistency, is not inherently the problem but the manner in which they did should weigh heavily on those who are tasked with ensuring the program improves. It is not a surprise that Freese is not of the same caliber as Belgium’s UEFA Champions League winner in goal, Thibaut Courtois.
There is no shock value when Belgium can brag about bringing Jeremy Doku off the bench when the USMNT’s best option is a rusty Gio Reyna, who, at 23 years old, still has no consistent documented history of living up to his great potential. The surprise is that, after weeks of being one of the teams to watch at the World Cup, they exited the tournament with barely a whimper.
“That just didn’t feel like it was us out there today,” defender Antonee Robinson said. “We didn’t win any individual duels. We looked like we lacked energy. We looked like we weren’t as fluid as we have been.”
Questions about the team’s mental toughness will loom large as the long road to the 2030 World Cup officially begins, just as much as queries about the strength of the talent will. Some will take positives from the fact that they won their first knockout game in 24 years with the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina but the expanded format is more responsible for that than anything else, the round of 32 feeling like a holding place before the knockouts truly begin depending on the matchup. How exactly they dig themselves out of a multigenerational hole, though, remains the big question facing the team.
“We won the game against Bosnia,” Pulisic said. “We can for sure be proud of [that] but I just think we want to have higher hopes in that. We want to be able to go and compete in some of the best in the world and we just still have that next step to climb.”
Ireland Chasing European Glory at 2026 Co-ed Slowpitch Championship
Ireland will be aiming to end a seven-year wait for a European Championship medal when they take to the field at the 2026 European Co-ed Slowpitch Championship in London from 14–18 July.
With an experienced squad, several players arriving straight from last month’s Men’s European Championship and a proud history in the competition, there is genuine belief that Ireland can once again challenge Europe’s elite.
One of Europe’s Most Successful Nations
Since the European Championship began in 1998, Ireland have established themselves as one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses.
Only Great Britain, who have won 13 of the 14 European titles, have enjoyed more success than Ireland, whose record includes 10 European medals.
Ireland’s greatest achievements include:
🥈 Silver Medals
🥉 Bronze Medals
- 1998
- 2000
- 2006
- 2010
- 2011
- 2015
- 2019
While Ireland narrowly missed out on the podium in both 2022 (5th) and 2024 (4th), those performances reinforced that they remain among Europe’s strongest sides and are more than capable of competing for medals once again.
Battle-Hardened Squad
One advantage Ireland could hold over many of their rivals is recent international experience.
Several members of the squad, including Cathal Creaven, have just returned from representing Ireland at the Men’s European Slowpitch Championship.
Competing against Europe’s top men’s teams provides invaluable preparation, with players arriving in London already match-fit after a week of high-intensity international softball.
Experienced Leadership
Ireland will be managed by Aideen Teo, with Peter Mullen serving as Head Coach alongside coaches Jon Barry and Dermot McManus.
Norma McIntyre captains the side, while pitching duties will be shared by the experienced trio of:
- Simon Lewis
- Wayne Cullen
- Brian Hehir
Tournament Format
All 10 nations play each other once in a round-robin competition.
At the end of the group stage:
- 🥇 1st vs 2nd contest the European Championship Final.
- 🥉 3rd vs 4th meet in the Bronze Medal Match.
- The remaining teams play classification games.
Every run, every victory and every tie-breaker could prove decisive.
Ireland’s Fixtures
Tuesday 14 July
08:45 – Ireland v Norway
15:00 – Ireland v Czechia
Wednesday 15 July
10:45 – Ireland v Guernsey
14:45 – Ireland v Germany
Thursday 16 July
09:00 – Ireland v Lithuania
15:00 – Ireland v Austria
Friday 17 July
09:00 – Ireland v Belgium
15:00 – Ireland v Poland
18:45 – Ireland v Great Britain
The Matches That Could Define Ireland’s Tournament
Ireland will expect to take victories against Norway, Guernsey, Lithuania, Austria, Belgium and Poland.
Those six games are vital.
If Ireland can also claim one major scalp against Germany, Czechia or Great Britain, they should put themselves firmly in contention for a place in the bronze medal match—or perhaps even the final.
The standout fixture is undoubtedly Wednesday afternoon’s clash with Germany. Germany denied Ireland a bronze medal at the 2024 Championships, and that game could once again have huge implications in the race for the top four.
Opening against Norway is equally important. A fast start would allow Ireland to take confidence into the tougher contests that follow.
Hazel Hoping for Another Medal
This will be Hazel Kilduff’s third European Championship.
Her previous finishes are:
After experiencing the heartbreak of missing out on the European podium two years ago, she will be hoping to add a medal to her collection.
Can Ireland Return to the Podium?
Great Britain rightly begin as overwhelming favourites, but behind them the competition is remarkably open.
Ireland have proven over the past three decades that they belong among Europe’s elite. They possess experience throughout the squad, proven pitching, players arriving in excellent form and a management team that knows what success at this level requires.
If Ireland take care of the games they are expected to win and produce one or two standout performances against Europe’s leading nations, there is every reason to believe they can end their seven-year wait for a European Championship medal.
Did You Know?
Galway City Rapparees GAA Rounders Club will have three players representing two different countries at this year’s European Championship.
🇮🇪 Cathal Creaven and Hazel Kilduff have been selected for Ireland, while teammate Katie Jessop will represent defending champions Great Britain—a unique achievement that underlines the growing reputation of the Galway club on the international stage.
Sports
Linda Noskova vs. Marta Kostyuk odds, prediction, time: 2026 Wimbledon ladies’ semifinal picks
The 2026 Wimbledon ladies’ semifinals conclude on Thursday with a matchup between 9-seed Linda Noskova and 12-seed Marta Kostyuk. Both players advanced on straight sets in their quarterfinal contests, with Noskova defeating No 25. Elise Mertens and Kostyuk knocking off No. 13 Jasmine Paolini. This is the furthest either player has ever advanced at Wimbledon, with each seeking their first Grand Slam singles titles. Kostyuk prevailed in their lone previous match at the Madrid 1000 earlier this year.
The match will begin at approximately 9:40 a.m. ET on Thursday at Centre Court in London. The latest Noskova vs. Kostyuk odds list Kostyuk as the -125 favorite (risk $125 to win $100), with Noskova at +106. The over/under for total games is 22.5. Before making any Wimbledon picks or Kostyuk vs. Noskova predictions, you need to see what tennis expert Jose Onorato has to say.
Visit our DraftKings promo code review to see their latest offers and get started.
Onorato grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela. After coming to the U.S., he trained with famed coach Nick Bollettieri at IMG Academy in Florida and faced players like Robert Farah, now one of the world’s top-ranked doubles players.
Onorato has gone 168-106-8 (+107.12 units) on his best bets since 2022. He correctly called Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open (+160), Carlos Alcaraz (+130) in the 2025 French Open and Sinner again at 2025 Wimbledon (+180). He also called Coco Gauff (+700) in the 2025 French Open and Iga Swiatek (+1200) at 2025 Wimbledon. This year, he nailed Alexander Zverev (+700) in the 2026 French Open. Anybody following his tennis betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.
Now, Onorato has scrutinized the latest Wimbledon 2026 odds and released his picks and best bets for the Noskova vs. Kostyuk ladies’ semifinal match. He’s only sharing his picks and expert analysis at SportsLine.
New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started.
Kostyuk vs. Noskova preview
Both players are in unchartered territory as this is each of their first semifinals appearance at the All England Club. Kostyuk is coming off a semis appearance at the French Open — her first time making the final four at any Grand Slam — while Noskova is seeing the semifinal round for the first time at any major tournament.
Kostyuk, who turned pro in 2016, does have three singles titles in her pro career, which has seen her ranked as high as No. 12. She is currently the 13th-ranked player in the world, while Noskova’s current ranking of No. 10 marks her best ever. The latter turned professional in 2019 and has two career singles titles.
The lone prior matchup between these two came just a few months ago on clay. They met in the quarterfinal of the Madrid Open in which Kostyuk won in straight sets, needing a tiebreaker to get through the first. Kostyuk would go on to win that tournament but has yet to win an event on grass. Meanwhile, Noskova’s lone grass surface tournament win came last month at the Berlin Open. See how to bet Kostyuk vs. Noskova at SportsLine.
How to make Noskova vs. Kostyuk picks
Onorato is leaning Under on the total number of games (22.5), and he has found a critical x-factor and points out a “pattern is worth noting” in making his prediction on this match. See his best bet at SportsLine.
Who wins Kostyuk vs. Noskova in the ladies’ semifinals of 2026 Wimbledon, and what pick should you target? Visit SportsLine now to see Jose Onorato’s best bets for Noskova vs. Kostyuk, all from the tennis expert who has a history of calling Grand slam winners, and find out.
Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most-decorated Paralympian, has retired from international competition with immediate effect.
The 48-year-old cyclist has opted not to compete at Los Angeles 2028 to focus on helping improve Para-sport.
The 19-time Paralympic champion feels the sport has “stalled somewhat” since the London 2012 Games and that many areas “still need attention”.
“The years between each Games haven’t been utilised well enough to create the momentum that I and others hoped to see,” she said.
“I see this as a critical stage; there are many areas of Para-sport that still need attention, and that is something that has played a big part in my decision.
“I fully believe that I can have a greater impact off my bike, rather than chasing a 10th Games and possibly further titles.
“I’m excited to be part of a future where we inject the momentum that is needed to ensure the future is bright for all Para-athletes.”
Storey started her career as a swimmer and competed at four Games before switching to cycling, winning a total of 30 Paralympic medals across nine Games, including four golds at London 2012.
World Athletics president Lord Coe, who was chairman of London’s organising committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “Para-sport was an enormously significant part of London 2012 and I remain extremely proud of what we were able to deliver.
“However, the issues that Dame Sarah raises upon her retirement resonate with me hugely – sport must continue to take those small but steady steps forward to ensure that what has gone before is not wasted.”
The British Paralympic Association has been approached for comment.
Sports
EU lawmakers demand FIFA probe over Trump call before USA-Belgium match | FIFA World Cup 2026
US President Donald Trump with FIFA president Gianni Infantino
Dozens of European lawmakers are gathering support to launch an investigation in the European Parliament of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino over his involvement in the decision to permit U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite an earlier red card.
Balogun was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which normally would make him ineligible to play in team’s next game, but FIFA lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.
European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang said in a joint statement that FIFAs decision to “change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”
“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration,” the statement said.
The lawmakers are asking the national football associations of the EU countries to spur the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino and whether pressure from the Trump administration was a factor in the lifting of the suspension, as well as “other potential breaches of political neutrality” like awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
FIFA has said the lifting of the suspension was a decision of a disciplinary committee.
The lawmakers said that 35 colleagues have so far signed the letter.
“The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window,” they said.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First Published: Jul 08 2026 | 1:30 PM IST
Jun 28, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Nelly Korda takes a tee shot off of hole 1 during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images Nelly Korda’s pursuit of the calendar Grand Slam may no longer be on the table, but she remains on the verge of multiple prestigious achievements.
One more major victory will give her the final two qualifying points she needs to trigger LPGA Hall of Fame membership. And a fifth career major title would push her up the all-time leaderboard, tying the likes of Korean great Se Ri Pak.
But Korda is the Scottie Scheffler of women’s golf in more ways than one. Not only is she a dominant World No. 1 player, she consistently insists she doesn’t think about legacy, pressure or external factors.
Korda headlines another strong women’s major field when the sport kicks off a European swing at the Evian Championship, beginning Thursday in Evian-les-Bains, France.
“For my mindset every week, it’s just, like, see how it goes,” Korda said. “Like, there is no (real) advantage to being World No. 1 when it comes to golf. I don’t get a better draw. I don’t have a bye. It’s just that you’re playing good golf, the best golf right now. That’s all that it is.”
Korda’s best finish at the Evian was a T8 in 2022. This and the Women’s Open are the only major trophies she has yet to collect.
She has won four tournaments this year, including the first two majors, but her major streak ended when South Korea’s Haeran Ryu raced out to a massive lead and captured the Women’s PGA Championship two weeks ago.
It was Ryu’s first major title, and she feels primed for more.
“I think everything going to be good, because every major championship is more thinking, more sensitive and more thinking harder, so always I got more stressful on the major week,” Ryu said. “But after (winning the Women’s PGA), I feel like more free and is less stressful for me.”
The Champions Course at Evian Resort will present a few new wrinkles to players this year. Chief among them is the pair of fairway bunkers strategically placed on the par-5 18th hole.
On that hole last year, Australian Grace Kim made eagle on Sunday to tie Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul and force a playoff. Kim then chipped in for birdie on the same hole to win the playoff; she had never finished in the top 10 of a major before that breakthrough.
There’s now a plaque marking the spot where Kim had her chip-in.
“It is a very cool thing for Evian Resort to put up for it, so I’m really grateful for it,” Kim said. “It makes me feel like, you know, a bit (of a) legendary moment, so, yeah, I’m really, really grateful for that.”
At the same time, it was a heartbreaking way for Thitikul to lose. Though just 23, the World No. 2 continues to face questions about when she will finish the job and win her first major. She has four top-10 finishes at the Evian in the past five years.
“It’s always going to be in my mind whatever is happened (is) last year, but I feel like it’s had a good and a bad … and then you can’t let it go,” Thitikul said.
“Like you can’t, like, ‘Oh, I’m just going to let it go and I don’t want think what happening,’ because if you really don’t and then tell yourself not to, it’s always going to be stuck in your mind. But I feel like what has been happening in last year or couple years later on in this tournament, it’s made me who I am today, so it’s just stick to the positive one then.”
–Field Level Media
The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers will do battle in Week 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium in 67 days, with storylines aplenty because — it’s Vikings-Packers. But one such scenario hasn’t been fully unearthed by the masses yet — the immediate, post-Arizona Cardinals showdown between Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
The two worked together for three seasons in Arizona. Their shared first order of business outside the desert? Dueling in the NFC North.
Gannon’s Defense Adds Personal Stakes to the Opener
Schedule-Makers Plop Murray v. Gannon Out of the Gate
The Vikings could’ve played any team in Week 1, but for the 2026 squad, the NFL chose Green Bay. The folks who made the schedule probably didn’t care much about Murray versus Gannon, but it’s happening anyway.
Arizona hired Gannon during the 2023 offseason, a year after the franchise extended Murray’s contract, the deal that included the infamous “study hall” clause before it was removed. Murray was viewed as the franchise quarterback, and with a fresh new set of eyes and ideas, Gannon took over.
The Cardinals went 15-36 in those three seasons, compiling a .294 win percentage and ranking 27th in the NFL. The experiment didn’t work, and the pair lost their jobs this offseason. Freshly removed from Arizona, they’ll dance on opposite sidelines at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Gannon’s Defense
Gannon inherits the league’s 19th-best defense per DVOA from last year. The Packers reached the postseason — lost to the Chicago Bears in a wild game — and did so with a mediocre defense that has seen better days. The club also lost superstar Micah Parsons along the way to a torn ACL.
Led by Gannon, Green Bay will face Minnesota with these notable players on defense:
- Javon Bullard (S)
- Edgerrin Cooper (LB)
- Zaire Franklin (LB)
- Javon Hargrave (DI)
- Isaiah McDuffie (LB)
- Xavier McKinney (S)
- Keisean Nixon (CB)
- Benjamin St-Juste (CB)
- Lukas Van Ness (EDGE)
- Evan Williams (S)
It’s also worth noting that Hargrave, a defensive tackle, played for the Vikings last year but was cast aside this offseason before Minnesota drafted Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport on the Packers’ defense: “After trading Rashan Gary to Dallas, who will step up on the edge opposite Parsons? How will the move from Quay Walker to Zaire Franklin affect the linebackers? How will veteran Benjamin St. Juste and rookie Brandon Cisse fit into the Green Bay secondary?”
“The Packers have the personnel on the defensive side of the ball to field a solid unit in 2026. They are going to need to, because the NFC North has the makings of the most tightly packed division in the NFL.”
Murray’s Offense
How about Murray’s offensive tools against Gannon’s defense? He’s got ’em. Murray hasn’t quite had game action with the following group, but that story will start in living color on September 13 against this former coach.
Here’s who will notably surround Murray in Minnesota’s offense:
- Jordan Addison (WR)
- Christian Darrisaw (T)
- T.J. Hockenson (TE)
- Justin Jefferson (WR)
- Jauan Jennings (WR)
- Aaron Jones (RB)
- Donovan Jackson (LG)
- Jordan Mason (RB)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
Murray will also have Kevin O’Connell whispering in his ear, a man known for top-tier veteran quarterback tutelage.
Our Steve Hoikkala recently noted on Jackson, a rookie lineman from last year: “Jackson was stellar in his performance last season as a rookie allowing just 2 sacks in 14 games in 2025, and looks to be the long-term starter he was brought here to be.”
“His physicality and consistency to the interior offensive line are just as important as the stability in his youth for Minnesota to build around. Jackson should be the starting left guard for years to come.”
Packers-Themed Media’s Take
LombardiAve.com‘s Luke Norris wrote about the situation in March, “Jonathan Gannon will now face Kyler Murray, who he benched in 2025, twice in 2026.
“Any new wrinkle to the Packers-Vikings rivalry is always fun, but this one comes with a second storyline outside of just Murray himself, as the man who served as his head coach for the last three years and basically benched him this past season will now stand on the sideline opposite him on two occasions in 2026, that man, of course, being new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.”
The Packers are already favored to chip off the Vikings by a point or two.
Norris added, “There still appears to be plenty of respect between Gannon and Murray, but that doesn’t mean these upcoming Packers-Vikings matchups won’t have a little more intrigue to them.”
“Perhaps Gannon isn’t thrilled that his first regular QB1 as a head coach couldn’t stay healthy (or at least healthy enough), and perhaps Murray wants to stick it to the head coach who benched him.”
The NFL regular season is exactly nine weeks away.
Among the Minnesota Vikings’ fan base, hopes are high for 2026, mainly because the club acquired Kyler Murray in March and finished last season with a winning record despite mostly miserable quarterback play.
But ESPN does not share that optimism, nominating Minnesota’s roster as the 11th-worst in the NFL heading into training camp. If Minnesota makes something of the season, it will do so without the sign-off of ESPN.
ESPN’s Low View Adds Pressure ahead of 2026
ESPN: Vikings’ Roster Ranks No. 22 in Power Rankings
Mike Clay of ESPN dropped the No. 22 ranking for the Vikings, noting that the running backs — Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, and Zavier Scott — were the team’s foremost weakness.
On the other hand, he noted the chief strength: “Biggest strength: Pass catchers. Receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and newcomer Jauan Jennings and tight end T.J. Hockenson form a terrific group of targets for whoever wins the QB job.”
“Even in a down season (no fault of his own), Jefferson delivered his sixth consecutive season with 1,000-plus receiving yards in 2025 and remains arguably the league’s best wide receiver. Addison produced 875-plus receiving yards and nine-plus TDs in his first two seasons before the QB woes of 2025.”
Pound for pound, Clay is probably correct about the pass-catchers as the team’s main calling card, though the defense is statistically fantastic too.
“Jennings broke out in 2024 with the 49ers and has a 132-1,618-15 receiving line over the past two seasons. Hockenson’s stats have been down the past two seasons, but the 29-year-old remains one of the league’s best two-way tight ends,” Clay concluded.
The Teams Ahead of MIN
Three teams questionably checked in ahead of Minnesota:
- Indianapolis Colts
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Colts are all-in to win a Super Bowl with Daniel Jones, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, an injury that goes either way in terms of recovery. The Commanders fired up a down year after an unexpected sprint to the NFC Championship in 2024. And the Steelers will roll with Aaron Rodgers again, this time led by his old pal, head coach Mike McCarthy.
Placing any of those squads ahead of Minnesota per roster talent is certainly debateable.
Very Little Faith in the QB
How did the Vikings fetch the 22nd roster ranking in football? It’s pretty evident: outside of Minneapolis, the masses don’t trust the quarterback(s). Murray’s reputation is at a career crater. That’s the cost of doing business when the Arizona Cardinals, of all organizations, run you out of town. Put plainly, the world believes that Murray is mid.
His quarterback running mate this summer, J.J. McCarthy, is mostly known for memes, and somehow, that matters in the court of public opinion. McCarthy produced an up-and-down season in his first as a starter, and that’s when he wasn’t missing seven games due to a flurry of injuries.
Most NFL analysis starts with the quarterback, and for a team like the Vikings to rank 22nd, it means that ESPN doesn’t really trust Murray or McCarthy to be dependable.
The Super Bowl Odds
How about Vegas? Do sportsbooks agree with the 22nd assessment? For the most part.
The Vikings’ Super Bowl odds in early July are 18th-best in the sport. Here’s the full list for curious minds:
- Los Angeles Rams: +500
- Buffalo Bills: +1000
- Baltimore Ravens: +1100
- Seattle Seahawks: +1200
- Los Angeles Chargers: +1600
- Kansas City Chiefs: +1600
- Detroit Lions: +1700
- New England Patriots: +1700
- San Francisco 49ers: +1700
- Philadelphia Eagles: +1800
- Houston Texans: +1900
- Cincinnati Bengals: +2000
- Denver Broncos: +2000
- Green Bay Packers: +2200
- Dallas Cowboys: +2200
- Chicago Bears: +2700
- Jacksonville Jaguars: +2700
- Indianapolis Colts: +4500
- Minnesota Vikings: +4500
- Washington Commanders: +5000
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +6000
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +7000
- New York Giants: +7000
- Atlanta Falcons: +7500
- Carolina Panthers: +8000
- New Orleans Saints: +8000
- Tennessee Titans: +12500
- Las Vegas Raiders: +12500
- Cleveland Browns: +35000
- New York Jets: +40000
- Miami Dolphins: +60000
- Arizona Cardinals: +100000
Oddsmakers pretty much plop the Vikings in the same boat as the Colts at +4500. That’s akin to reaching into a shuffled deck and pulling one specific card — like the Ace of Spades — on the first try.
NFL Spin Zone‘s Sayre Bedinger ranked Minnesota at — you guessed it — No. 22 in his recent power rankings: “The Vikings are going to be relying on defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his scheme more than ever before.”
“Even with the possibility of a breakout from Dallas Turner, this team has young players replacing the likes of Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Harrison Smith. Those are huge losses. Factoring in the quarterback position coming down to Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy, this is going to be maybe the biggest “test” year for O’Connell and his staff.”
The Vikings haven’t won a playoff game in 2,376 days.
Jun 16, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Angels activated All-Star center fielder Mike Trout from the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday’s road game against the Texas Rangers.
Trout has been on the IL due to a right hamstring strain sustained on June 17 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Trout is batting second and serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday.
The activation puts Trout in line to play in the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia. The contest holds extra importance to Trout since Philadelphia is located roughly 45 miles from his hometown of Millville, N.J.
Trout is a 12-time All-Star but he hasn’t taken the field in the Midsummer Classic since 2019 due to a series of injuries. He is 7-for-17 (.412) with two homers, two doubles and four RBIs in seven appearances and is the only player to be named All-Star MVP (2014-15) in back-to-back years.
As for the contest against Arizona, Trout said the injury happened while he was running the bases.
Trout had played in 74 of 75 games this season prior to the setback against the Diamondbacks. He is batting .234 with 17 homers and 36 RBIs.
The three-time American League MVP has 421 homers, 1,054 RBIs and 221 steals in 1,722 games over 16 seasons with the Angels. He has a career slash line of .291/.406/.566. The Angels designated infielder Donovan Walton for assignment in a corresponding move. The 32-year-old was batting .319 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 32 games.
Overall, Walton has played in 104 games for four teams in parts of seven seasons since 2019. He has a .218 average with seven homers and 35 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Quartermaine on board at Northern Star Resources
EU Officials Plan MiCA Revisions to Regulate Non-EU Stablecoin Issuers
Ireland Chasing European Glory at 2026 Co-ed Slowpitch Championship
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekend Open Thread: High Hopes
-
NewsBeat4 days agoTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding staffer hilariously struggles to keep her cool while checking in megastars
-
Fashion2 days agoOpen Thread: What Great Books Have You Read Recently?
-
Politics6 days agoThe House | “Reframing the debate from a binary discussion of winners and losers”: Yuan Yang reviews ‘We Are Not Machines’
-
Crypto World5 days agoStandard Chartered Secures MiCA License as ESMA Adds 37 New Crypto Firms
-
News Videos2 days agoWhats Hidden Inside This Cash Register? #treasure #reselling #money
-
Tech2 days agoAnthropic’s new “J-lens” reveals a silent workspace inside Claude that mirrors a leading theory of consciousness
-
Business2 days agoAXT Shares Jump Nearly 14% as Semiconductor Materials Maker Rebounds on AI-Linked Indium Phosphide Demand
-
Crypto World7 days agoBinance stock trading tops $1B in first month after launch
-
Crypto World2 days agoSK hynix (000660.KS) Stock Dips as $28B Nasdaq ADR Offering Drives AI Memory Expansion
-
Crypto World7 days agoAlibaba-affiliate Ant Group enters the humanoid robot market with 12 deals
-
Crypto World3 days agoSouth Africa proposes crypto tax guidance under existing rules
-
News Videos2 days agoBest Time to Enter Small Caps Right Now? Another Bull Run? | Financially Free
-
Tech4 days agoLenovo laptops are now shipping with YMTC SSDs, a sign of Chinese NAND entering the mainstream
-
Crypto World5 days ago
ESMA Expands Crypto Register by 37 Firms Following MiCA Transition Period
-
NewsBeat7 days agoNew exhibition reflects five decades of movement between island of Ireland and GB
-
Business6 days agoWhat a 10 Percent Drop Means for Buyers, Sellers and Renters
-
Crypto World6 days agoBinance Re-Enters Philippines As EU MiCA Rules Restrict Access
-
News Videos2 days agoAvoid entering in FOMO #bitcoin #cryptocurrency #trading #scalping
-
Sports1 day agoJoshua Pacio ‘more complete’ ahead of ONE rematch vs Malachiev
You must be logged in to post a comment Login