Winning consistently as a favorite at home creates an atmosphere of intimidation for visitors.

Loud crowds often play a big factor, as do intimate and remote environments.

The table below shows the wins, losses, and win percentages as a home favorite for the region’s top programs over the last 10 seasons.

Oregon leads the way, followed by Washington, Utah State, Utah, and Hawai’i.

When the 1994 World Cup came to town, Major League Soccer didn’t exist, and there were questions about whether soccer would even make it in this country. Fast forward to the United States men’s national team at the 2026 World Cup, and while there’s still room to grow, with stars like Lionel Messi and Son Heung-Min playing in Major League Soccer, the United Soccer League is gearing up for implementing promotion and relegation in their league, while American fans are also showing their appetite for soccer via both viewership and attendance, it’s clear that soccer is here to stay.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber agrees in what has been a year when MLS announced that it will move to a European schedule, but there’s more to come for the country’s most prominent soccer league.

“The world hasn’t seen anything like what the World Cup will be in 2026. This is Super Bowls every day for well over a month, and I think that the world will see everything that we in the soccer ecosystem in North America know, that the game really matters here,” Garber said during his state of the league press conference in December. 

“People care about it deeply, there’s a revolution going on where our sport is more popular than anybody ever believed, and that’s evidenced by what’s happening in our league, what’s happening in the women’s game, what’s happening in the different structures that are being built, and what’s happening in the communities that are hosting games, all the watch parties that will happen. We’d love to say that it’s the rocket fuel, but this jet has been running for 30 years, and it’s going to run for another 30.”

The impact of the World Cup

When looking at how the league can continue improving at such a rapid rate, you have to examine what the World Cup could bring to American soccer. Since there isn’t a new league coming this time around, there’s much more nuance to what comes next. While the USMNT doing well is something that would be a sign of a strong World Cup, that’s a better indicator of short-term success than long-term success. The performance of the national team can inspire others to want to play soccer, but so can things such as seeing representation in their backyard.

The Algerian national team has been one of the feel-good stories of the World Cup so far, being based in Lawrence, Kansas, and during their community training session, the national team played soccer with kids in the community. Those are moments that will sit with those kids and impact the community for years to come. It’s part of the beauty of spreading out base camps, so these players are truly in the community and are bringing the World Cup to a further scope than just the 16 host cities where games are being played. Just ask the people who came out in Chattanooga, Tenn., to see Spain’s Lamine Yamal.

And there is no telling how it could inspire, despite the hurdles that currently exist. High-level travel teams and some MLS academies require people to pay to play or travel quite long distances to get into soccer. There can be some financial assistance available at times, but when even Clint Dempsey briefly gave up playing youth soccer so that his parents could use that money elsewhere, it shows how fragile this system is.

If you are good enough, you are old enough is a famous quote from Manchester United’s Matt Busby, but in the United States, it can be shifted to, if you’re good enough and well off enough, you’re old enough, and that’s something that has to change. Soccer may not be able to surpass football and basketball to become America’s number one sport, but in a country of almost 350 million, it doesn’t need to be, as there’s plenty of talent to improve the youth setup if it’s accessible to them.

FIFA and U.S. Soccer’s role in accessibility

Speaking to U.S. Soccer, they recognize that pay-to-play is something that needs to be addressed, and via innovate to grow, there’s a plan in place to make soccer more accessible to all. That program was able to build a new center via funding from FIFA Forward. FIFA Forward is a program that reinvests money into member associations to increase the level of soccer while also using oversight to ensure that those funds are used properly. 

With Haiti’s World Cup qualification, those funds were used to provide security and assistance with development. Cabo Verde and Curacao have used FIFA Forward funds to improve infrastructure in their countries, and it’s immediately showing results for the first-time qualifiers and returnees to the World Cup after lengthy absences. By the end of 2026, FIFA anticipates investing $5 billion into this program

“Even in the difficulties that some of them that they have to go through in the context of the country, for example Haiti, is unfortunatly going through a very difficult period as a country and it’s difficult to organize football at a domestic level on the island due to lack of security for the time being so there is a normalization committee that FIFA established which has done a tremendous job there in the way that they can, even sometimes being in Haiti with the risk that this entails but we focus with them on the national teams and the possibility to give these girls and boys places to train,” FIFA Director Member Associations Americas, Jair Bertoni said.

Sometimes they have to go abroad to safely do that, but these are the kinds of things that can make soccer accessible globally. Since it’s down to what each nation needs, in the United States, FIFA Forward support has helped U.S. Soccer grow innovations in their own markets, funding around 27 projects. And a goal that they do have is making it easier to play soccer because pay-to-play is a known issue in the country and hinders the ability to grow to the level of other countries.

“It’s a complex issue. It’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. So, being able to channel funding to them to tailor solutions that really make sense for their communities and make sense for the underserved communities they’re trying to reach is one way,” Melissa Radke, director, member strategy at USSF, said.  “And as U.S. Soccer, too, we recognize that there’s additional work to be done. We have some initiatives currently underway, working very closely with our membership, including the professional leagues, on just that. Looking at the different pathways that, that players have, whether they want to move into more competitive or pre-professional environments or stay recreational, whatever’s best for them and their development, and where they want to go in soccer. That’s certainly something that we’re looking at and working very closely with our members on right now, and as those analyses, um, and those efforts move forward, there’ll be more coming out from that.”

There have been improvements to the American coaching system, but this piece is what could be significant in changing the future of soccer in America with the World Cup here a second time around. If U.S. Soccer can capitalize on the inspiration that the 2026 World Cup will bring in America, the sky could be the limit for the next tournament in the United States and for the teams who represent this country.

Welcome to our live blog as we learn what Manchester United’s and Manchester City’s fixture schedules are going to look like next season.

Enzo Maresca’s appointment hasn’t been rubber-stamped but he’s still expected to be announced as Pep Guardiola’s replacement.

On the other side of the city, Michael Carrick did enough to be handed the United gig on a permanent basis and he has already secured his first win as permanent head coach, having guided United to a comfortable win over Brighton on the final day of the 2025/26 season.

Fixture release day is always an exciting day for football fans and we’ll have everything you need to know right here, so stick with us for breaking news, reaction and analysis.

For three years, wide receiver Lucky Jackson, of UFL fame, remained in the Minnesota Vikings’ orbit, mostly notable for his catchy name and speed. But in the summer of 2026, Vikings fans will follow Jackson from afar, as the speedster signed with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday.

As he did in Minnesota for three summers, Jackson will fight for a roster spot at training camp and in the preseason.

Lions’ Crowded WR Room Still Has Summer Opportunity

Lucky to DET

It’s official for Jackson to the Lions, as TheUFL.com wrote this week, “The Louisville Kings today announced that wide receivers Tarik Black (6-2, 213, University of Texas) and Lucky Jackson (6-0, 182, Western Kentucky) have signed NFL contracts with the Detroit Lions. Black and Jackson are among the first group of UFL players to sign NFL contracts as the UFL’s 2026 offseason signing period officially opened Monday, June 15.”

“Returning to spring football in 2026, Jackson became a vital playmaker and leader in a stacked receiving room for the Louisville Kings during their 2026 championship season. The Louisville Kings retain the rights to Black and Jackson should they return to the UFL in the future.”

The Lions have six weeks until the start of training camp, and Jackson will be in attendance.

The Lions’ Updated WR Corps

If one assumes that second-year speedy wideout Isaac TeSlaa takes a step forward — that may or may not happen — the Lions’ pass-catchers are in pretty fancy shape.

Here’s the group before training camp:

• Amon-Ra St. Brown
• Jameson Williams
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Cedric Wilson Jr.
• Tom Kennedy
• Greg Dortch
• Lucky Jackson
• Jackson Meeks
• Dominic Lovett
• Tarik Black
• Tay Martin
• Malik Cunningham

St. Brown and Williams are more than enough to juice to headline the ticket. Fans hope that TeSlaa, Dortch, and Wilson Jr. are enough at WR3 and WR4.

SideLionReport‘s Candace Pedraza noted Wednesday, “The Lions feel pretty stacked on special teams as of now, but these two could also help out with backing up their receiver room. Obviously, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are the top receivers in that room, but Isaac TeSlaa is in a bit of an open competition for the WR3 role following the loss of Kalif Raymond to the Chicago Bears.”

“Black and Jackson could very well compete for snaps there. Given how successful the Lions were with Saylors and Whiteside in 2025, it feels safe to bet that they’ve found two potential gems here in Black and Jackson.”

Jackson’s Career Resume and Bio

Jackson is a summer standout, drawing attention for his production and special teams value.

He began his NFL journey as an undrafted wide receiver out of Western Kentucky, where he earned First-Team All-C-USA honors and First Responder Bowl MVP in 2019. Jackson also brings experience from spring leagues, including a UFL championship in 2026 and an All-XFL Team selection in 2023.

His NFL regular season track record remains limited, with three games played for the Vikings in 2023, totaling three offensive snaps and 32 special teams snaps. Despite not being an offensive force in the regular season, teams continue to show interest in him due to his speed and special-teams contributions.

Jackson notably impressed during the Vikings’ 2025 training camp and preseason, even garnering “Mr. Mankato” buzz. He seemed poised to make the roster, especially with Jordan Addison suspended, Justin Jefferson sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Rondale Moore suffering an ACL tear. However, he ultimately did not make the final cut, a common outcome for players on the roster bubble.

Here’s his semi-pro and pro resume to date:

• Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2022)
• Edmonton Elks (2022)
• DC Defenders (2023)
• Minnesota Vikings (2023–2025)
• Louisville Kings (2026)
• Detroit Lions (2026–present)

Likely Looking as Lions’ Practice Squad

All things considered, landing in Detroit is a sweet setup for Jackson. Wilson Sr., Dortch, and Kennedy stand in front of him on the depth chart, but that trio is not insurmountable. There’s a world where Jackson does Lucky Jackson things again this summer, earning a roster spot in late August and potentially pestering the Vikings twice in the regular season.

That’s a long shot, though, so a reasonable outlook for his 2026 campaign in practice squad placement. If all else fails, he can return to the UFL in 2027 and thrive. He’s carved out a spot in that league.

Oddsmakers expect the Lions to narrowly edge the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North crown in 2026, with the Chicago Bears and Vikings fighting to avoid last place.

Jackson will turn 29 next month.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Substitute Johan Manzambi scored his first World Cup goal on an outstanding volley in the 74th minute, and Switzerland erupted late for a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday to take control of its group.

Ruben Vargas scored in the 84th minute for the Swiss shortly after Tarik Muharemovic was sent off for a dangerous tackle, leaving Bosnia with 10 men.

Manzambi scored again in the 90th on a pass from Vargas, and captain Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game in stoppage time.

Ermin Mahmic scored in second-half injury time for Bosnia, which still has a legitimate chance of reaching the knockout stage of only its second World Cup after hanging with higher-ranked Switzerland deep into the second half.

Switzerland followed up its disappointing 1-1 draw with Qatar last week by largely dominating play against the momentum-laden Dragons, who were unbeaten in their last nine competitive matches.

But the Swiss couldn’t break through until a moment of brilliance from Manzambi, a 20-year-old Geneva native who plays for German club Freiburg – and then Muharemovic’s red card changed the match.

Manzambi scored three minutes after coming on for standout winger Dan Ndoye. Manzambi jumped and connected perfectly on Amar Memic’s attempted clearing header, setting off a wild celebration in the nervous Swiss section of SoFi Stadium.

Bosnia was backed by a raucous cheering section with tens of thousands of fans in the crowd of 70,026 celebrating their nation’s second World Cup appearance. 

The Dragons had less possession and fewer chances, yet every good moment was greeted by roars.

Four minutes after Muharemovic was sent off for taking down striker Breel Embolo one step outside the penalty area, Embolo got the ball from Manzambi and slipped a pass across the front to Vargas for a no-doubt goal. Xhaka then found Vargas in deep for another pass to Manzambi, who finished with aplomb.

Mahmic’s vicious goal in traffic salvaged some good feeling for Bosnia, which drew with co-host Canada last week.

Captain Edin Dzeko started and played 63 minutes for Bosnia, becoming the fourth outfield player to start at a World Cup in his 40s – a group joined by Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday.

Switzerland opened play last week by giving up the tying goal to Qatar in the fourth minute of second-half injury time, prompting immediate concern about the group favorite.

Bosnia impressively held Canada to a draw in Toronto, continuing a strong run by coach Sergej Barbarez’s team. The Dragons qualified in theatrical fashion by stunning Wales and Italy in qualifying playoffs.

Switzerland dominated possession in the first half, but struggled in the final third while Bosnia cagily hung in.

The Swiss upped their attack after halftime, with Ndoye doing most of the work – including a spectacular bicycle kick that forced Nikola Vasilj to make an alert save over the bar.

Blue Jays and Dodgers trade rumor for Red Sox star is less than ideal for Yankees originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees aren’t expected to show interest in Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox, though it doesn’t sound like Chapman is too worried about that. Expecting an apology from Brian Cashman and the Yankees if he gets traded to New York.

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After that comment, and some from the Yankees after those remarks, it seems very unlikely that Chapman will be in New York after the deadline. However, he could still have an effect on the Yankees, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays being teams that could land him, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“Relief pitchers often are some of the most impactful deadline acquisitions, and Boston’s closer is as effective as ever. Chapman doesn’t throw as hard as he once did, but he has four distinct pitches now. 

“And he’s still chucking his fastball in the high 90s, which is plenty of velocity when hitters need to gear up for his slider and splitter. Here’s the greatest truism of the deadline: Everyone needs a good reliever. Teams will climb over each other for Chapman,” Jeff Passan wrote.

Landing Chapman would be one thing for any of those teams, but stealing him away from the Yankees, because there’s existing tension between the two, would be something else.

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Unfortunately, the Yankees could be impacted by that, as both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays are always in the mix for elite pitchers, so there’s reason to believe that they could be interested in doing this type of deal.

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After nine months away from competition and months of rehabilitation, Neeraj Chopra is ready to throw again.

The Olympic and world champion will make his long-awaited return at the Doha Diamond League on Friday, marking his first competitive appearance since an injury-plagued outing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The 28-year-old has admitted that competing in Tokyo while carrying a back problem was a mistake, but believes the difficult experience has left him better prepared for the challenges ahead.

For one of India’s most celebrated athletes, the road back has been longer than expected. What initially appeared to be a lower back issue soon became part of a broader battle with multiple niggles that forced him to delay the start of his 2026 season.

“I had some injury last year before Tokyo World Championship. We worked a lot and also competed in Tokyo, but I don’t think that was a good decision because I already know that I have some problem. But that was the last competition (of 2025), so I decided to compete there,” Chopra said ahead of the season opener in Doha.

The decision did not pay off. Chopra finished eighth in Tokyo with a throw of 84.03 metres, one of the most disappointing results of his career. In the months that followed, he focused on recovery rather than competition.

“In an athlete’s life, if there is one injury we try to save that injury and then we feel another one. I had in my ankle, then somewhere in shoulder, then I sat together with my team and my physio and then we work on every part.”

Now, after months of treatment and training, Chopra believes he is ready to compete again.

“I feel really good and fit, let’s see tomorrow.”

Doha remains a special venue

The return takes place at a venue that holds special memories for Chopra.

It was in Doha in May 2025 that he finally crossed the much-anticipated 90-metre barrier, launching the javelin to 90.23m under the guidance of legendary Czech thrower Jan Zelezny.

Yet Chopra remains his own toughest critic.

Looking back at the throw that made headlines around the world, he feels it was far from perfect.

“Technically, that throw was not that good, it was really fast from the arm but if I had done better with my lower body, that may be (added) two to three metre more.”

Instead of revisiting his record throw, Chopra says he often studies a different aspect of his performances.

“I really like my qualification round throws in the Olympics or World Championships because I feel really relaxed and throw far. But whenever I compete in finals or in main competition, I always try really hard, very aggressive, then I forget my technique.

“I really like to see my qualification round throws as they are technically better.”

A new chapter after Zelezny

The upcoming season will also be Chopra’s first full campaign since ending his coaching partnership with Zelezny earlier this year.

The association helped Chopra achieve one of the biggest milestones of his career, but he felt it was time to move in a different direction.

“Zlezny was a great athlete and he was a really good coach also. We worked on a few specific things, I’m happy that I broke 90m under him.”

However, Chopra said practical considerations and a desire to trust his own instincts influenced the decision.

“I had to stay in one place to hold the season, that was not possible for me. So we decided after Tokyo World Championships maybe I need to work with my ideas, so work with an Indian coach.”

He has since reunited with Jaiveer Chaudhary, the coach who first guided him into the sport.

“He is my senior. I started javelin throw with him so he knows my story from last 15-16 years. He knows my training plans and everything, so now we work on my technique.”

Rather than making major technical changes, Chopra said the focus is on refining what already comes naturally.

“We are not working anything specific, very deep on anything. I’m working on my natural technique.”

Busy season awaits

Although 2026 does not feature an Olympics or World Championships, Chopra expects little respite.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan remain major targets, and he expects fierce competition at both events.

The Commonwealth Games field is likely to feature Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who recently threw 92.62m, Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott and former world champion Anderson Peters.

“All of them have thrown 90m, so Commonwealth Games will not be less (competitive) than Olympics or World Championships, it will be a really tough competition,” Chopra said.

He also plans to compete at the Asian Games later in the year.

Learning to work with the wind

Doha’s conditions have often produced huge throws, with favourable winds helping athletes achieve some of the longest distances in the sport’s history.

Chopra believes understanding those conditions is as important as physical preparation.

“Sometime, I also throw against the wind here that was not good. We really need to understand how we can use the wind.”

“In javelin throw, we can use wind for runway speed, it really helps. Also, if we point up (the spear) a little bit high and the wind pushes a little bit from behind the javelin, then it helps.”

“But if you throw really flat, then I don’t think so it (wind) will help you. So, you need your mind to throw if you want to use wind.”

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli has made significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is on track to return to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series in England, TOI has learnt. “Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon. If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series,” a source said.

BCCI selectors to pick squad soon

The Indian ODI squad for the tour of England is set to be picked later this week.“The selection committee meeting to pick India’s ODI team for the England tour will be held in the next three to four days,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday.The three-match ODI series between India and England will be played from July 14 to 19, with matches scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord’s.The 37-year-old Kohli missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him.The superstar batter has been consulting renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, who is based at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and serves as the BCCI’s consultant orthopaedic surgeon.

Hamstring injury ruled Kohli out of Afghanistan series

Kohli had suffered the hamstring injury during his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in the IPL final, which helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and clinch their second successive IPL title.On Tuesday, several pictures surfaced online showing Kohli spending time in London, where he currently lives, with English batter Jordon Cox, his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate. The meeting came hours before the 25-year-old was named in England’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, which began at The Oval on Wednesday.

Agarkar had hinted at England comeback

While announcing India’s squads for the series against Afghanistan in Mumbai on June 6, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had indicated that Kohli could be fit for the England series, but added that there was “no clear timeline” from the physio regarding his return.“With Virat, it’s just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don’t know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It’s not a definitive answer, so don’t hold me to it. I haven’t had a clear timeline from the physio yet,” Agarkar had said.Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli now plays only ODIs for India. His previous appearance came in the home series against New Zealand in January, where he top-scored for India with 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26.

The FIFA World Cup may be under way in the United States, but in New York on Thursday, all eyes were on basketball. Tens of thousands of fans packed the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the NBA champion Knicks as the team paraded through the city under tight security. FRANCE 24’s Juliette Montilly was there.