Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez has signed with CF Montreal of Major League Soccer (John MCCOY)Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, a former Barcelona and Arsenal star, has signed with CF Montreal through at least the 2027 season, the Major League Soccer club announced on Tuesday.The 37-year-old winger, a two-time Copa America champion with Chile, has also made stops at Manchester United, Inter Milan and Marseille and spent last season with La Liga side Sevilla."I'm very happy to join CF Montreal and take on this new challenge," Sanchez said. "I'm grateful to the club for the confidence they've shown in me and I'm eager to put my experience to work so that we can reach our objectives and create memorable moments for our supporters."With four wins and four draws from 18 MLS matches, Montreal sits 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference and are third-worst in the league overall with only Atlanta and Kansas City trailing.CF Montreal senior director Luca Saputo hopes the deal, which has a club option for the 2027-28 season, will begin a turnaround for the Canadian club."The arrival of Alexis Sanchez represents an important step in our sporting project," Saputo said."Alexis possesses exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football. His personality, leadership and competitive mindset fully align with our club's identity and ambitions."We are of firm belief that he will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room."Sanchez helped Barcelona win the Spanish SuperCup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup plus a Copa del Rey and La Liga crown.He helped Arsenal take the 2015 and 2017 FA Cups and won Serie A titles with Inter Milan in 2020-21 and 2023-24 plus two Supercoppas and an Italian Cup.With Chile, Sanchez helped land Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016.js/gj

Most teams still have everything to play for in the 2026 Leagues Cup, with the final matchday kicking off.The top four teams in the table from each league after playing three matches against teams from the opposite league move into the quarterfinals. The top three finishers in Leagues Cup book.a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.Sixteen of 18 MLS teams are still alive for the top four spots in the MLS standings, which would secure a place in the quarterfinals and put teams two wins away from not only the final but a spot in next year's CCC.Fewer Liga MX clubs have a shot at the knockout stage, but eight teams head into the final matchday of the group stage with a shot at advancing.Which MLS teams have the best chance of advancing in Leagues Cup?While 16 teams are still mathematically alive top make MLS' top four, the fact that six teams won their first two matches to earn six points means it's unlikely any team on three points will be able to jump the required number of teams and make up the goal difference, the second tiebreaker.Austin FC, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas won both of their opening matches and are sitting pretty. The Crew, Charlotte and Cincinnati all are in action August 11, knocking they'll need to find wins and do so convincingly with the other teams looming. All three play Liga MX teams that can't advance, even with a victory with the Crew meeting Pumas, FC Cincinnati facing Atlas and Charlotte hosting Pachuca.View this post on InstagramAustin FC and the Chicago Fire will know what they need to do when they play Thursday, August 13, and FC Dallas could be in the same situation - though playing still-alive Toluca in the Estadio Nemesio Diez is the most daunting matchup for a contending MLS team.If those teams falter, the door could be open for LAFC, which has five points after two matches (shootout victories are worth two points in the tournament, which goes to a penalty shootout if the match is level after 90 minutes). The Black and Gold face eliminated Quretaro.Real Salt Lake, on four points, may be the last MLS team that realistically can hope for a win and things going its way to book a place in the knockout stage. Diego Luna and Co. meet a resurgent FC Juarez on Aug. 11.Which Liga MX teams have the best chance of advancing in Leagues Cup?FC Juarez fired its manager before the start of the tournament but has run off back-to-back victories under interim Salvador Valero. The goal difference is good enough for second, just behind Club Amrica. Las Aguilas top the Liga MX table but are on the road to face current MLS No. 1 Austin FC. With only three other Liga MX rivals securing six points through two matches, however, a draw could be enough to get one or two of the teams on six points through.In addition to Juarez and Amrica, Cruz Azul and Len started off the tournament perfectly. La Maquina heads to Chicago to meet the Fire, while Len closes its group stage out against an Inter Miami team that already is eliminated, and is expected to still miss out on Lionel Messi as he mourns the death of his father.View this post on InstagramA post shared by LIGA BBVA MX (@ligabbvamx)A Tigres team in transition would love to see one of those clubs slip up. Sitting on four points, a win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Tigres' home stadium El Volcn could be enough to put them through even after a rocky start to the season and a pair of Leagues Cup draws that Tigres and goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman were able to turn into multiple points thanks to shootout wins.Toluca, also playing a home game, Monterrey and Atlante all need to win and make up the goal difference since they are sitting on three points after two games.When are the Leagues Cup knockout stages? Both leagues have a full slate of action this weekend, with a trio of Liga MX matches and 11 MLS matches taking place on August 15. That's because normal action resumes, with the Leagues Cup qualifiers returning to the tournament shortly after.The quarterfinals will take place between August 25-27, while the semifinals are set for Sept. 1 and 2 and the final - plus the third-place game which will send the winner to the CCC - will take place Sept. 6.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Leagues Cup 2026: What MLS, Liga MX teams need to make knockout rounds

MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice.The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection. A slithering, 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services technicians arrived a few minutes later, identified the snake as a deadly cottonmouth and took it to a wooded area far from the school.Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten.It was unreal," Davis said. You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real.The player, who apparently didn't throw a hissy fit, grabbed a different helmet and continued practice. But the situation caused the head coach to reiterate to his team that players should examine their equipment carefully before using it, checking for insects or maybe something larger and more dangerous.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Aston Villa will face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the annual clash between the UEFA Europa League victors and the UEFA Champions League winners

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Celtics Become 73-9 Warriors When Jayson Tatum Reaches This Key Stat originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The story heading into next season with the Celtics is all about how Jayson Tatum will lead a new Celtics team as the sole superstar in Boston after Jaylen Brown's departure.We expect to see an already very involved Tatum be used more in the Celtics system next season, and that could be a very good thing as one specific stat suggests.This Jayson Tatum Stat Could Be the Key to the Celtics' 2026-27 SeasonJoe Mazzulla, out of all people, is a stat guru, and we know he makes a lot of decisions based on advanced stats and trends his team provides him with.MORE:3 Celtics Franchise Records Players Could Break in 2026-27 SeasonWell, this isn't a stat that will shock you, but in the past few seasons, the more the Celtics have gotten Tatum involved on the offensive end, the more it results in the Celtics winning games.We're not talking about just a solid record the Celtics have when he's very involved offensively. They win nearly all of them. There's a stat to quantify how much a player is used when they're on the court called USG% (Usage Percentage).Basketball Referencedefines it as "An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor."In Tatum's highest-scoring season (2022-23), his USG% was 32.7%, the highest of his career.MORE:Setting Realistic Expectations for Paul George's First Year With the CelticsThe Celtics ultimately lost in Game 7 of the ECF that year, but it was still a great season overall, and Tatum was one of the top players in the league on a contending team.The hope is he can do something similar, especially as we expect him to have a higher USG% in this upcoming season, with Brown gone.Not only in the 2022-23 season did the Celtics win a lot of games when Tatum had a USG% in a given game over 33%, but the trend has applied to a few other years throughout his prime when healthy.*Includes regular season games only when Tatum played (didn't include the 2025-26 season due to him coming back briefly from his injury)SeasonRecord: Games USG% >= 33%Record: Games USG% <=33%2020-2111-923-212021-2226-1223-152022-2333-119-212023-2418-339-142024-2522-331-16MORE:Is Joe Mazzulla in Danger of Losing Head Coach Position With Celtics After 2026-27 Season?Tatum averaged over 26 PPG in each of these five seasons, which I'd describe as his prime years so far, starting in 2020-21.The USG% looked at here didn't have a huge impact in the first year of his prime, but it started to improve in the following season and peaked in 2022-23.Of course, other factors may have played into the games they won, but ever since the 2022-23 season (except for his brief end-of-the-season comeback this past season), the difference in records when Tatum has a USG% over 33% and under is night and day.MORE:3 Celtics With Most to Prove in 2026-27 SeasonThe team was still very good when they used him less, but the record was nowhere near as good.A combined record of 73-7 over the past three seasons when his USG% is over 33% is pretty remarkable, and is just as good as the Warriors' in their record-setting season a decade ago (73-9).Now, none of this means the Celtics are necessarily going to be as good, record-wise, as the 2015-16 Warriors, but it's encouraging to see the Celtics' winning output like this when Tatum has been a prominent part of the offense, which we'll see in full swing for really the first time this season, with Tatum as the undisputed #1 option.More CelticsLatest CelticsnewsTD Garden fan guide: What to know before you goComplete history of Celticschampionships

Red Sox Get Encouraging Roman Anthony Injury Update Amid Playoff Push originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Bostons young outfielder has taken another important step toward returning to game action. The Boston Red Sox have continued to surge without Roman Anthony, but one of their most talented young players appears to be moving closer to rejoining the lineup.Anthony has progressed to hitting against a high-velocity Trajekt pitching machine as he works his way back from a wrist injury, according to MassLives Chris Cotillo. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said the 22-year-old is getting closer to beginning a minor league rehab assignment.That is an encouraging development for a Boston club attempting to secure a postseason spot during the final stretch of the regular season. Anthony previously advanced to facing overhand pitching in the batting cage. Hitting against the Trajekt machine represents another notable test because it can replicate high-end velocity and different pitch shapes in a controlled environment.The next major step will be sending Anthony on a rehab assignment, where the Red Sox can evaluate his timing and how the wrist responds to consecutive games.Roman Anthony Nearing Next Step In Red Sox RecoveryAnthony has been sidelined since early May and is currently on the 60-day injured list. Although Tracy did not provide a specific date for the start of a rehab assignment, his comments suggest Anthony is entering the later stages of his recovery.Roman Anthony has progressed to hit off a high-velocity Trajekt machine. Hes getting closer to a rehab assignment, per Chad Tracy. Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 11, 2026Boston will likely be cautious with the promising outfielder. Wrist injuries can be particularly challenging for hitters because they can affect bat speed, power and the ability to control the barrel through the strike zone. The Red Sox also do not need to rush Anthony back before he is fully prepared. Boston entered its upcoming game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a 64-54 record after an impressive turnaround pushed the club firmly into the American League playoff race.MORE:Adley Rutschman Era Officially Begins With Red Sox DebutSlow Season Thus FarAnthony hit .229 with one home run, five RBIs and a .675 OPS before landing on the injured list. His production was modest over that limited stretch, but his plate discipline and offensive ceiling could make him an important addition down the stretch. Over his first 101 major league games, Anthony recorded 100 hits, 23 doubles, nine home runs and 37 RBIs. He also drew 60 walks, demonstrating the advanced approach that helped make him one of baseballs most highly regarded young players.Boston has received strong production from an outfield group that includes Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu. Anthonys eventual return would give Tracy another left-handed bat and considerably more flexibility when constructing his lineup. There are still several hurdles Anthony must clear before returning to the majors. However, facing high velocity and moving closer to live game action are meaningful signs of progress.The Red Sox have been winning without Anthony. If they can get him healthy for the stretch run, an already dangerous team could receive another significant boost at exactly the right time.More Red SoxLatest Red Sox news2026 Red Sox schedule2026 Red Sox rosterComplete history of Red Sox championships

Aston Villa Ready To Cash In On 19-Year-Old: A Short-Sighted Call?Aston Villa are prepared to part ways with young defender Triston Rowe before the transfer window closes, according to a report from Pete ORourke. Villa will sanction a permanent exit, but insist on a buy-back option being baked into any agreement. Thats the bottom line.Aston Villa open the door on teenage defender ahead of deadlineRowe, 19-years-old, spent the 2025/26 campaign on a season-long loan with French Ligue 2 outfit FC Annecy, where he clocked 2,262 minutes across 31 league appearances, contributing one goal and two assists. Not bad for a teenager operating two divisions below the top flight of French football. Aston Villa saw enough in pre-season to take note as Emery handed him minutes, and Rowe didnt squander them. Championship sides and clubs from the continent are already coming up with genuine interest.T4O take: Aston Villa are making a short-sighted callVILLARREAL, SPAIN AUGUST 10: Triston Rowe of Aston Villa in action during the Trofeo de La Ceramica match between Villarreal CF and Aston Villa at Estadio de la Ceramica on August 10, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)Heres the honest take. Selling Rowe this summer, even with a buy-back clause attached, is a decision Villa may look back on with regret.At Annecy, he averaged 2.03 tackles per 90 minutes and was dribbled past just 0.56 times per game. Those arent small numbers; theyre quietly elite. His pre-season showing at left-back, despite right-back being his natural position, was tactically sound and composure-driven throughout 90 minutes. Emery clocked it. The stats backed it.Villas defensive depth is thinner than it looks. Lucas Digne isnt getting younger, Ian Maatsens future remains uncertain, and Matty Cash has had his injury disruptions. Rowe covers all three positions across the backline: right-back, left-back, centre-back. That flexibility costs money to buy and time to develop. Villa already have him.Aston Villa risk paying a premium to buy their own player backThe buy-back clause offers some protection, sure. But the price to reclaim him in 18 months, once hes had another year of first-team football elsewhere, will almost certainly exceed whatever fee they collect now. Clubs dont sell and repurchase their own players at a discount.Rowe holds England U20 caps. Hes a homegrown asset, developed through the academy system, who proved he can handle the physical and tactical demands of senior professional football abroad. Letting that walk out of Bodymoor Heath for a moderate fee, while Aston Villa chase a top-four finish in a brutal domestic and European calendar, doesnt add up.

Great Britain's Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu claimed a sensational European 100m one-two for the hosts as Italy's two-time defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs pulled up with an injury in Birmingham.Glave made an international podium for the first time by winning 100m bronze at these championships in Rome two years ago, but the 26-year-old upgraded to gold with a dominant victory in 10.09 seconds.Azu, the world and European champion over 60m indoors in 2025, improved on his 2022 bronze as he followed his team-mate over the line in 10.16 to the delight of the home crowd at Alexander Stadium.German Owen Ansah completed the podium after gold-medal favourite Jacobs, a surprise Olympic champion five years ago, dropped out of contention at halfway.More to follow.

Lazio Still Tracking Napoli Misfit Who Shares Agent With FrattesiNapoli outcast Lorenzo Lucca remains a target for Lazio, who are still keen to sign a centre-forward before the end of the summer.Lazio Open a Dialogue for Davide FrattesiIn recent hours, several reliable sources in Italy confirmed the Biancocelestis renewed interest in Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi. Claudio Lotito and co. are seemingly negotiating with the Nerazzurri, as well as the players representative, Giuseppe Riso, whose stable could offer Lazio a solution for their attacking conundrum.Lazio Could Also Make a Move for Lorenzo LuccaAs Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla points out, Riso is also the agent of Andrea Pinamonti and Lorenzo Lucca, two strikers who are on Lazios shortlist.After missing out on Franjo Ivanovic (who preferred to join RC Lens), several sources identified Sassuolos Pinamonti as the Aquiles new primary target. However, Pedulla insists that Lucca remains a viable option, one that the club could revisit in the coming days.Lucca Coming Off Difficult Experiences at Napoli & Nottingham ForestLucca is a well-travelled Italian striker who stands at an impressive 201 cm. The Moncalieri native enjoyed a positive spell at Udinese between 2023 and 2025, scoring 23 goals in 75 appearances before earning a 30 million move to Napoli last summer.However, the giant centre-forward struggled for playing time under Antonio Conte, who preferred Rasmus Hojlund. In January, he joined Nottingham Forest on loan but endured a torrid time with the Reds, scoring only a single goal in nine appearances. Therefore, the 25-year-old is now looking to revive his career at a new club.The Most Plausible FormulaNeedless to say, Lazio cannot afford to buy Lucca outright this summer, especially considering his high book value and long-term contract (running until 2030), so a move to Formello is only possible if Napoli are willing to loan him out with an option (or an obligation) to buy.