As far as results are concerned, things could have gone much better for the United States men's national team this past international window. Not only did the U.S. lose both of their friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, but its path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage got notably more difficult with the introduction of Trkiye in Group D. "Ive been talking them up," David Mosse said on the latest episode of "State of the Union." "Theyre a proper team. They got the quarterfinals of the Euros. The only reason they were in this playoff is because they were in the same group as Spain I think that will be a tough, tough game for the U.S." Trkiye punched its ticket to the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Kosovo in the final of the 2026 World Cup European playoffs. Its performance in the tournament saw it move from No. 25 to No. 22 in the latest FIFA men's world ranking. Meanwhile, the U.S. moved down from 15 to 16. The United States won't see Trkiye until the final match of the group stage, but that arguably complicates things further for a U.S. team that has lost its last eight consecutive matches against European competition. "That first game now for the U.S. is just absolutely paramount," Stone said. "Not that it hasnt been in the beginning, but if you stumble out of the gates in L.A. against Paraguay uh oh. And like a real big uh oh, because you have to get your business taken care of before you see Trkiye in L.A. to close out the group stage. "I think Trkiye is the favorite. I think theyre going to win their first two games fairly comfortably. I think for the U.S., its going to be more of a struggle. Can they win those two games? Absolutely. Should the U.S. get through? Absolutely, but I think Trkiye is the favorite right now right now. Theres a long time to go." Lalas, meanwhile, is still bullish on the United States' chances of advancing and winning Group D. "I would put this group against any other group in the past in terms of not just coming out, but winning the group," Lalas said. "I do think this team, despite the problems we're talking about right now, will rise to the occasion." If the U.S. doesn't win Group D, its hopes of advancing to its first World Cup quarterfinals become much slimmer, even with the benefit of a home crowd. "There is a massive advantage to winning your group," Stone said. "The path has been laid out, in red carpet fashion, for the U.S. and its all going on the fact that they win the group. Things get significantly more challenging if they dont." The U.S. wil play Trkiye at Los Angeles Stadium in its group stage finale on June 25. "We welcome Trkiye to the World Cup, we welcome Trkiye, and we want to beat up on them," Lalas said.

Williams was included in India's squad after FIFA cleared his change of association.

SportsLine's model simulated the Valero Texas Open 2026 10,000 times and revealed its surprising PGA picks this week after Collin Morikawa withdrew on Tuesday

The Las Vegas Raiders have the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. You do not need to tell the teams owner how that went last time.While speaking with Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders team website, franchise majority owner Mark Davis signaled his eagerness for the top pick, then conceded that JaMarcus Russell, the teams last pick in the slot, didnt work out.From the Raiders:"Well, I'm really impressed with the way [Raiders general manager John Spytek] and [Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak] are working together, along with John's staff and the coaching staff," Davis said. "Having the first pick in the draft is exciting because we kind of control the draft - we get to make the decision on who we're gonna pick."But we've had that position before, and it didn't work out. So there's no magic bullet there, but it's a great opportunity to get a great player, whoever they decide to pick."Didnt work out is putting it mildly. Russell arrived in Oakland with a big arm, big frame and big expectations after earning All-SEC first-team honors at LSU, but struggled from the beginning. His NFL career lasted only three mediocre seasons and he looms as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, especially when considering two Hall of Famers (Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas) were selected with the two picks immediately after him.The Raiders are about to select first overall for the first time since Mark Davis took over the team in 2011.Ian Maule via Getty ImagesSo the Raiders have good reason to hope this time it goes better. They are widely expected to use the pick to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship last season, both firsts for the Hoosiers.The selection will be part of a busy offseason for the Raiders. In addition to the infamous non-trade of star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, the team has made a bevy of signings including center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive end Kwity Paye, linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean and wide receiver Jalen Nailor.

The NCAA Division I Cabinet will consider proposed changes to eligibility rules, including one that would bar athletes who have entered and remained in a professional sports draft from competing in college.

The Collingwood celebrations were in full swing last Friday when Jamie Elliott glided by to provide a classy assist to a teammate, as the smart forward so often does amid crowded company.

An entire nation is in raptures thanks to the football icon from Down Under.

Science editor Rebecca Morelle watched from just three miles away as the most powerful rocket ever built blasted off from Florida.

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