SportsLine NHL analyst Scott Erskine breaks down his top 10 teams ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

History could be made this week by Phoenix Rising as the club seeks its first-ever win over Major League Soccer opposition in the U.S. Open Cup.Rising travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes in the final match of this years third round at PayPal Park. Its the first time the two sides have ever met in competitive play.I know a lot of people will look at it and say we are underdogs, Rising coach Pa-Modou Kah said. I never look at our team or myself as an underdog. We are equal once we step on the pitch.The Open Cup, organized by the U.S. Soccer Federation since 1914, allows clubs at all levels of the game to compete in a single tournament. Based on a revised format due to the World Cup, 16 MLS teams are competing in this years edition of the cup. They joined the 16 second round winners, made up of nine teams from USL Championship, six from USL League One and one from MLS NEXT Pro.Everybody was excited [at the draw] because its an opportunity for some of us, Rising forward Ihsan Sacko said. We have some young players in the team, so its a big chance for us. Were excited because we definitely want to win this game. Thats why we go there for this: for the win.This isnt the first time that Rising has faced a top-flight opponent under head coach Pa-Modou Kah. Last year, the side fell 4-1 at home to the Houston Dynamo after extra time.What I want, this game, for the boys, is to enjoy it, Rising coach Pa-Modou Kah said. Listen, some of them have aspiration to be in MLS. Some of them beyond. Theres no better test. You go in and enjoy the game, and we showed last year over 90 minutes, obviously we were there, but you know that the budget, the different players they can bring [on], that is the difference. That is the difference from when I watched the game back against Houston [Dynamo] last year. Even at 2-1, Tico [Damian Rivera] had an opportunity, maybe he passed it to [Dariusz Formella], thats the what if. But yeah, they bring in guys that cost 8, 10, 20 million. Theres nothing you can do. But the way that we fought as a team, the way that we showcase ourselves is the same thing I want to see this game.Last seasons clash wasnt the only time that Phoenix Rising has faced MLS opposition in Open Cup play. In 2024, Rising travelled to Tukwila to face the Seattle Sounders, taking the lead in first half stoppage time through a Rmi Cabral penalty. Alex Roldan drew the sides level in the second half, before Kalani Kossa-Rienzi found the winner for the hosts with just two minutes to play.Prior to that, the team faced LA Galaxy in the 2014 Open Cup under the name Arizona United. Matt Kassel put Arizona up in front of a home crowd in Peoria. Again, two second half goals sank the sides hopes, with Gyasi Zardes netting a brace.Last seasons clash with Houston was the first time Rising took MLS opposition beyond the regulation 90 minutes, though, and Sacko described being mad to lose at the end like that. Thats something, according to both Sacko and Kah, that can give the team confidence going into the match.Thats the reason also in preseason you want to go play these teams as well, because you get to measure yourselves, the coach said. You get to showcase yourself. You get to see where am I now to where I want to be. For us, theres no better opportunity. As a coach and especially as a player, these are the games that you want to be in.Rising can also bring confidence from a resounding 3-0 win over rivals New Mexico United last weekend. That match marked the first league win of the season, with Sacko recording a brace alongside a JP Scearce goal.You keep doing the things that youve been doing prior, Kah said on carrying the momentum from the weekend. You dont need to change anything. Its just making sure that again you stay consistent in the work that you do.At the same time, Risings Open Cup run has already caused some early season fixture congestion. The team is now in the middle of a stretch of three games in eight days, which is only made tougher by the teams continued injury woes. Both Damian Rivera and Kelvin Arase are yet to feature in 2026, while Rafael Czichos has been sidelined recently due to illness. Both Daniel Flores and Pape Mar Boye have recently begun easing back in to game time.Its always a balance, but sometimes when you have momentum, you want to keep that momentum going by also trusting the guys that fought and helped, and we know that we also have some game changers on the bench, Kah said.While Risings rotation choices may be more limited, its not clear how seriously San Jose will take this cup tie.We approach the game with the same amount of detail that we want to provide for our players and game plan, and who we are, Kah said. For me, its about respecting the game so I will never take it lightly whoever Im facing. The planning, the detailing will always be there. What we can control is our preparation, our mental state and what were going to do. What the oppositions is going to do, Ill be honest to you, I dont know until the whistle or you see the lineup. When you see the lineup, you know, but were prepared for whatever theyre going to bring.Regardless of the lineup that San Jose puts out, Phoenix is looking to make club history in the Open Cup.Why not? Kah said. Why should we not aim for it? That is our ambition. And can we do it? I believe 100% that we can do it, because at the end of the day, its football. Once you step in the white lines, its not who you are. Its what youre going to do at that moment. And when our moment comes, were going to take our moment.Top image: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson, one of the best scorers in the transfer portal, committed to Arkansas on Tuesday night, sources told ESPN, choosing the Razorbacks over programs such as Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and LSU, among others.

From getting hammered 52-4 by Melbourne in Round 1 to copping an injury ward of horrific proportions, this season is fast turning into a nightmare for the Eels.

FIFA, soccer's world governing body, has been accused of a 'shakedown' over the news, which comes after ticket prices sparked outrage across the world.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo left Tuesday nights play-in game against Charlotte after he got tripped by Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball in the second quarter, causing him to land hard on his lower back.The Heat said Adebayo would not return.Ball was on the ground after driving to the basket and missing a shot when he appeared to take a swipe at Adebayos left foot with his left hand, causing Adebayo to fall backward. Adebayo stayed down as the action moved to the other end of the court and then back again before play was stopped.After being attended to by trainers, he got to his feet and walked off under his own power and was taken to the locker room.Ball was not called for a foul and the play could not be reviewed because play wasn't stopped.Adebayo scored 83 points in a game last month. ___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

The trawler "reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding", the United Nations said.

LANSING, Ind. - Trailing by five late, the Lansing Locos (5-4) rallied to put the tying and winning runs on base, but the West Michigan Whitecaps (5-5... - MWL Lansing Lugnuts

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks have signed wing Jihyun Park to a training camp contract."Jihyun is a versatile wing with a good feel for the... - WNBA Los Angeles Sparks

Daniel Riolo et Emmanuel Petit ne sont pas du tout d'accord sur l'analyse de la victoire 2-0 du PSG ce mardi Liverpool en quart de finale retour de la Ligue des champions.