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His father played football. He plays fútbol.

Alex Freeman, the son of former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman, scored a goal in the first half of the United States’ 2-0 World Cup win over Australia on Friday.

Freeman’s goal, which extended the red, white, and blue’s lead shortly before halftime, was initially disallowed as offsides. However, a video review showed he was even with the Socceroos’ back line at the time of teammate Sergiño Dest’s shot from the top of the box, which caromed off a defender before Freeman followed up and headed the ball home.

“It was surreal, knowing that I was able to contribute to my team in any way I can,” Freeman told Fox Sports’ Tom Rinaldi of the goal following the victory. “Obviously at first it was disallowed, so I was kind of anxious when it went to VAR (video assistant referee). And then just to be able to celebrate the whole thing with my teammates, I think that just made it come together as a whole and made the experience. I’m happy I could contribute to a clean sheet, not only a clean sheet, but a win.”

Freeman, 21, now has three international goals and also tallied an assist in the U.S. men’s national team’s opening-game win over Paraguay.

His father, Antonio, played eight of his nine NFL seasons for the Packers, winning Super Bowl XXXI with Green Bay. The elder Freeman, who had 7,251 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns on 477 career receptions, led the league in 1998 with 1,424 receiving yards on the way to making his lone Pro Bowl and All-Pro team.

Freeman and the United States sit atop Group D with six points, having already advanced to the knockout stage with one group game (versus Turkiye on June 25) still to go.

 The Philippines is ready to defend its title in the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) 2026, scheduled to be held at Play Padel McKinley in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig from June 25 to 28.

Joanna Tao Yee Tan, the 2025 MVP, banners the women’s team comprising 10-time PCA Open tennis champion Marian Jade Capadocia, Danna Mariella Abad, and Joshea Dominique Malazarte in the pro category.

Skipper Argil Lance Cañizares, Abdulqoahar Allian, Jose Nicholas Cano, Raymark Gulfo, Jason Anthony Lapidus, and Fritz Chris Verdad make up the men’s squad.

Abad, Malazarte, Cañizares, Allian, Gulfo, and Verdad are the other carryovers from last year’s champion team.

The Philippines beat Pakistan (5-0), Hong Kong (4-1), and Malaysia (4-1) in the group stage; South Korea (3-0) in the quarterfinals; Malaysia (3-0) in the semis; and Hong Kong (3-0) in the finals.

This year’s edition also features an amateur category for emerging players to gain valuable international experience.

Seeing action are Maxine Selina Sebastian, Mayumi Jane Toribio, Yanni Collins, Nadine Sandra Sebastian, Jack Mikhail Cruz, Keno Lorenzo Enriquez, Gabriel Stefano Gurria, Dennis Maglinas, and Vince Louise Serna.

Bryan Joshua Casao heads the coaching staff, composed of Portuguese Tomás Vasco (technical and tactical), Jaric Rjian Luther Lavalle (strength and conditioning), and Ma. Arielle Estrañero (sports psychology consultant).

Senator Pia Cayetano, a former national volleyball player, is the founder of the Padel Pilipinas, the national sports association recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The APPC 2026 aims to position the Philippines as a growing hub for international padel and sports tourism in Asia. Through the support of public and private partners, the tournament seeks to strengthen the local padel community, inspire new players, and give Filipino athletes the opportunity to compete against some of the region’s top teams.

The APPC is the leading padel competition in the Asia-Pacific region, established to promote the growth of the sport, cultural integration, and player development. Host Indonesia won the inaugural tournament held in Bali in 2024. 

 Jakob Taruc triumphed at the ICTSI Eagle Ridge JPGT Championship in Gen. Trias, Cavite on Friday to secure a ticket to the Elite Finals and anchor a powerhouse North boys’ 15-18 squad.

He shot three birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, before adding two more birdies against another bogey in the last nine holes to close with a 70.

Taruc secured a three-over 219 total and a dominant 11-stroke victory over Harry Sales, who shot a 77 to finish with a 230 total. Lujo Gomez carded a 76 to claim third place at 231 at the close of the three-month regional series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“Reaching the finals wasn’t originally part of my plan, so being here feels like a true blessing. Heading into Beverly Place, I was struggling with self-doubt because my game wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be – but I could feel it coming together,” Taruc said in a news release.

“After two rounds at Beverly, my confidence started to return. By the time I arrived at Eagle Ridge, I felt good about my game because my swing was locked in and everything was just working perfectly.”

In the girls’ division, Rafa Anciano carded an 81 for a 242 total while Levonne Talion settled for second with a 79 for a 244, followed by Kendra Garingalao, who had an 85 for a 249.

With the victory, Anciano concluded the six-leg series with 40 points, while Garingalao finished with 37. They booked the last two spots in the Finals alongside early qualifiers Liza Sarines (42 points) and Mona Sarines (39 points).

The top four finishers from the Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao series are headed for a thrilling, Ryder Cup-style duel at the Pueblo de Oro Country Club in Cagayan de Oro on Aug. 17-20.

“This victory proved to me that I am truly capable of going low. It gave me the validation I needed. Moving forward, I just have to trust myself and my abilities. I feel ready for the Finals now. I just need to do a little bit of tweaking with my iron game to be fully prepared,” Taruc said, joining a formidable North quartet alongside Tristan Padilla, Shinichi Suzuki, and Geoffrey Tan.

Comprising the Southern lineup are Alexis Nailga, Sebastian Sajuela, Clement Ordeneza, and Mhark Fernando III. 

NEW YORK – Japanese artist Dragon76 has completed a giant mural in Miami, Florida, which is hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The mural, measuring about 1,580 square meters, was created at the request of a local organization for the tournament.

Painted on the side of a rental storage facility, the work stands about 35 meters high and 45 meters wide, showing children playing soccer in a near-future street setting.

Dragon76 worked on the project with his wife, Ayako, using a high-altitude work platform and spending 10 days from June 4.

“It is the largest piece I have ever drawn,” he said. “I made it with the hope that soccer will continue even if the world changes.”

Born in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, Dragon76 has been based in New York since 2016.

In 2023, he created a mural at the former site of the World Trade Center building in New York, which was destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 

MANILA – Juan Gomez de Liaño will be stepping in for injured guard Scottie Thompson for the upcoming third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month.

In a statement, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced that de Liaño will take Thompson’s place in the final 12 for the crucial road games against New Zealand and Australia.

The development came days before the national team’s departure for Auckland, where Gilas is scheduled to hold a training camp in preparation for the July 3 clash against New Zealand and the July 6 showdown with Australia in Perth.

Gomez de Liaño provides additional scoring and backcourt depth for a Philippine squad already dealing with several key absences.

Thompson has been nursing a hamstring injury but played through Ginebra’s grueling seven-game finals series in the Commissioner’s Cup, where he emerged as the finals Most Valuable Player.

Thompson’s absence adds to the manpower concerns faced by coach Tim Cone, whose squad is also without Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown and Calvin Oftana for the window.

Big men Justine Baltazar, Mike Phillips, and Troy Rosario have been tapped to fill the void in the front court.

Leading the roster is naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who joins the national team after powering Barangay Ginebra to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship on Wednesday.

Also included are Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos, veteran San Miguel center June Mar Fajardo and Meralco stalwart Chris Newsome.

Completing the 12-man lineup are Japan B.League campaigners Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.

The Philippines currently shares second place with New Zealand in Group A at 2-2, behind unbeaten Australia at 4-0, with Guam winless at 0-4.

A French appeals court confirmed that Morocco captain Hakimi will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which he denies.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi, who is due to join Morocco’s World Cup squad against Scotland later on Friday, said he faced trial on a rape charge and welcomed the opportunity to put across his point of view.

Hakimi, who played for Morocco during their World Cup opener against Brazil on Sunday, had appealed his referral to a criminal court.

French media reported earlier that the Versailles appeals court had rejected the appeal, paving the way for his trial in a criminal court at some point in the future.

“Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, ⁠the truth. Sometimes I feel like ⁠I’ve become an easy target,” Hakimi wrote in a post on social media platform X.

“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I’ll be able to speak out.”

The Nanterre prosecutor’s office in the French capital of Paris had opened an investigation in 2023 after a woman accused him of rape.

Hakimi, one of the best right-backs in the world, denies any wrongdoing. He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after the 24-year-old woman said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb.

It was not immediately clear when the trial would start. Reuters news agency said that the Versailles appeals court and Hakimi’s lawyer did not immediately respond to their requests for comment.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. left the Royals’ 14-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night because of right knee discomfort after making a sliding play in the field.

With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Witt went to his knees to prevent Jordan Walker’s RBI single from getting to the outfield. Witt was checked out by Royals staffers before remaining in the game for the rest of that half inning.

But he was scheduled to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and the Royals instead had Tyler Tolbert pinch hit for him. The Royals announced later that Witt’s departure was due to knee discomfort.

Before his departure, Witt had gone 2-for-2 with a solo homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the second. Witt also scored his second run of the night in the second inning.

The two-time All-Star is batting .294 with a .368 on-base percentage, 10 homers, 32 RBIs and an MLB-leading 28 steals in 76 games this season.

ATLANTA — The Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton on Thursday night.

Atlanta made room for Bart on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Sandy León for assignment. The Pirates assigned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Bart was batting .259 with two homers, six RBIs and a .670 OPS in 21 games with Pittsburgh. He grew up in the Atlanta suburbs and played college ball in the city at Georgia Tech before being selected No. 2 by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 amateur draft.

The NL East-leading Braves (46-27) already have two fine catchers in 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin and 2023 All-Star Sean Murphy, but Murphy is on the 60-day injured list with a broken finger.

Stratton appeared in one game with the Braves this year and pitched a scoreless inning. He played for the Pirates from 2023 to 2025 before getting traded to Atlanta last year.

León was batting .091 with zero RBIs in 21 games this season.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — — Gage Jump gave up one hit over seven sparkling innings, and Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom hit back-to-back homers in a five-run first that sent the Athletics to a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.

The first six A’s batters got hits off Ryan Johnson, recalled from Double-A Rocket City before the game — when the Angels also placed star outfielder Mike Trout on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.

Zack Gelof singled leading off to extend his hitting streak to 22 games, the longest current run in the majors, and Nick Kurtz doubled. Langeliers drove a three-run shot 430 feet to center field for his 19th homer this season, and Soderstrom followed with his 13th.

Jacob Wilson and Jonah Heim singled before Johnson (0-2) got his first out on Carlos Cortes’ fly to center that advanced Wilson to third base. A sacrifice fly by Henry Bolte made it 5-0.

The Athletics then loaded the bases before Kurtz, the 11th batter of the inning, flied out to finally end it.

Johnson settled down after that and lasted five innings. Jump (3-1), however, was great from the get-go.

Making his fifth major league start, the rookie left-hander allowed only Oswald Peraza’s two-out double in the fourth. He struck out seven and walked three, throwing 72 of his 107 pitches for strikes.

Mason Barnett and Hogan Harris finished a four-hitter, the Athletics’ fifth shutout this season.

Up next

RHP José Soriano (8-4, 2.79 ERA) starts Friday for the Angels in the second game of the series. LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-7, 5.13) goes for the Athletics.

San Francisco Giants (31-43, fourth in the NL West) vs. Miami Marlins (37-38, fourth in the NL East)

Miami; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Landen Roupp (0-0); Marlins: TBD

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins play the San Francisco Giants after Kyle Stowers had four hits against the Phillies on Wednesday.

Miami has a 37-38 record overall and a 23-16 record at home. The Marlins have the seventh-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .322.

San Francisco is 31-43 overall and 17-23 in road games. The Giants have hit 79 total home runs to rank 10th in the NL.

The matchup Friday is the fourth time these teams square off this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Xavier Edwards has 11 doubles, four triples, six home runs and 26 RBI for the Marlins. Stowers is 10 for 37 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

Luis Arraez has 15 doubles, six triples and three home runs for the Giants. Jung Hoo Lee is 14 for 40 with a double, a home run and five RBI over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 7-3, .261 batting average, 3.21 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs

Giants: 5-5, .249 batting average, 4.05 ERA, outscored by one run

INJURIES: Marlins: Janson Junk: 15-Day IL (shin), Josh Ekness: 15-Day IL (calf), Andrew Nardi: 60-Day IL (ribs), Griffin Conine: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Eury Perez: 15-Day IL (gracilis), Robby Snelling: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ronny Henriquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adam Mazur: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Giants: Harrison Bader: 10-Day IL (plantar fasciitis), Keaton Winn: 15-Day IL (elbow), Tyler Mahle: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Heliot Ramos: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Joel Peguero: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Jared Oliva: 60-Day IL (wrist), Jose Butto: 60-Day IL (arm), Hayden Birdsong: 60-Day IL (forearm), Jason Foley: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Randy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Rowan Wick: 60-Day IL (elbow)