Sapong leaving Fire, who pick up 4 options
Fire forward CJ Sapong announced he is not returning next year, and the team exercised 2021 options on four players: midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, forward Elliot Collier and defenders Wyatt Omsberg and Nicholas Slonina.
Midfielder Jeremiah Gutjahr and goalie Connor Sparrow had their options declined, midfielder Micheal Azira is out of contract, and midfielder Brandt Bronico is discussing his future options with the team.
Sapong, 31, a pending free agent, posted a farewell message on Instagram: “Our illustrious journey comes to a close! While it hasn’t ended the way I envisioned, this is the nature of the business!” Over two years with the Fire, Sapong had 15 goals in 43 league appearances. He only appeared in 11 games this season because of the birth of his daughter.
† Gio Reyna, the son of soccer players, was among six players who made U. S. debuts Thursday, and the Americans tied Wales 0- 0 in an exhibition at Swansea that ended a 10- month layoff caused by the pandemic.
† Racing Louisville FC selected U. S. national team players Tobin Heath and Christen Press in the National Women’s Soccer League expansion draft.
COLLEGES Three more football games postponed
Pittsburgh’s game at Georgia Tech was rescheduled for Dec. 12 after the Panthers were forced to pause team activities because of COVID- 19 protocols. Also, Rice at Louisiana Tech scheduled for Saturday was postponed because of COVID issues with the Bulldogs. The game between UAB and North Texas also won’t be played because of an outbreak among the Blazers.
† Oregon State says one player tested positive for COVID- 19 and three others have been isolated. The four players will not be available for Saturday’s game at Washington.
† Boise State was missing 14 players for its home game against Colorado State because of COVID- 19 but still won 52- 21.
† The Ivy League became the first Division I conference this year to cancel all winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. It also is postponing spring sports until at least the end of February and won’t conduct competition for fall sports during the spring semester.
† Mississippi State starting safety Marcus Murphy will opt out for the rest of this season, leaving the Bulldogs without their fourth- best tackler for the final four games.
MLB Angels hire Braves’ Minasian as new GM
Perry Minasian signed a four- year contract to replace Billy Eppler as the general manager of the Angels. Minasian was the Braves’ assistant GM the last three seasons.