U.S. women:
Michael Bradley scored a stunning early goal from about 40 yards, and the U.S. hung on for a 1-1 tie against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier Sunday night, gaining only its third point at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium as coach Bruce Arena changed seven starters and used a five-man defense to overcome the thin air and short recovery time.
Bradley put the U.S. ahead in the sixth minute when he deflected a poor backpass by Mexican star Javier Hernandez and created his own breakaway.
Carlos Vela tied the score in the 23rd minute with a 23-yard shot that beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan to the near post.
Christen Press scored in the 60th minute to help the national team beat No. 11-ranked Norway 1-0 in Sandefjord, Norway.
The second-ranked Americans, the reigning World Cup champions, have won four straight.
As he sat in front PARIS — of a TV to watch last year’s French Open final, sidelined by an injured left wrist, Rafael Nadal had no way to know for sure, of course, that he would return to the height of his powers.
For the second time in a row, the most important match at the most important clay-court tournament was being contested without him. As the 2017 edition at Roland Garros began, Nadal’s drought without a Grand Slam title was stretching to three full years.
“It was difficult,” said Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni. “We were asking ourselves whether he would be able achieve this one more time.”
Turned out he could, and he did, as masterful as at any time. Overwhelmingly good from start to finish in Sunday’s final, and for the entire two weeks, Nadal won his record 10th French Open title with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 victory over 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka.
“A perfect Roland Garros for me,” Nadal said. Call it a Perfect 10. Or as the Nadals preferred:
Spanish for “The Tenth.”
“I play my best at all events, but the feeling here is impossible to describe. It’s impossible to compare it to another place,” Nadal said. “The nerves, the adrenaline, I feel on the court are impossible to compare to another feeling. This is the most important event in my career.”
Not only did Nadal win every set he played in the tournament, he dropped a total of just 35 games, the second fewest by any man on the way to any title at a major tournament with all matches being best-of-five sets in the Open era, which dates to 1968.
“On paper, when you look at the scores, it all seems fairly easy,” Nadal said. “But it’s not.”
No other man or woman has won 10 championships at the same major in the Open era. Along with improving to 10-0 in finals at Roland Garros, Nadal increased his haul to 15 Grand Slam trophies, breaking a tie with Pete Sampras for second place in the history of men’s tennis, behind only rival Roger Federer’s 18.
It marked a stirring return to the top for Nadal at the site he loves the most: He is 79-2 at the French Open, 102-2 in all best-of-five-set matches on clay.
“He’s playing the best he’s ever played. That’s for sure,” said Wawrinka, who had won 11 matches in a row on clay. “But not only here.”
True. Nadal leads the tour with four titles and 43 match wins this season and will rise to No. 2 in the ATP rankings that come out today.
Wawrinka insisted a fiveset semifinal win Friday over No. 1-ranked Andy Murray did not take anything out of him physically. The problem against Nadal, Wawrinka said, was more mental.
“He puts this doubt in your head when you play against him,” said Wawrinka, who had been 3-0 in Grand Slam finals, including a victory over Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open.
The Nationals placed closer Koda Glover on the 10-day disabled list with lower back stiffness before Sunday’s game against Texas.
Glover blew his second save in Saturday’s 6-3, 11-inning loss and afterward told manager Dusty Baker he had been dealing with “nagging” back pain all day.
The 24-year-old righthander had converted eight of nine previous save opportunities but is 0-1 with a 5.12 ERA in his second year in the majors. Earlier this season, he missed 14 games with a left hip impingement.
Washington also activated reliever Joe Blanton, who went on the DL on May 17 with shoulder inflammation.
With the return of Seth Lugo, Yoenis Cespedes and Steven Matz, the Mets optioned infielder Matt Reynolds, right-hander Tyler Pill and infielder T.J. Rivera to Triple-A.
■ Left-hander Sean Gilmartin, designated for assignment, was claimed off waivers by St. Louis.
Left-hander Eric O’Flaherty went on the 10-day DL with shoulder tendinitis, while right-hander Jason Hursh was recalled from Triple-A.
Right-hander Jumbo Diaz, who had been out with arm fatigue, was reinstated and worked a scoreless eighth inning.
Second baseman Jonathan Villar went on the 10-day DL with a back strain, and top outfield prospect Lewis Brinson was recalled from Triple-A.
Right-hander James Shields, rehabbing from a strained right lat, has made two rehab starts in Triple-A.
Outfielder Abraham Almonte, recovering from a strained right shoulder, had two hits Saturday in a Triple-A rehab assignment.
Left-hander Antonio Bastardo (left quad strain) made his sixth rehab appearance in Triple-A and was charged with a run and two hits while recording two outs.
Catcher Tom Murphy (forearm fracture) is about 7-10 days from returning, manager Bud Black said.
The draft starts tonight and continues for 40 rounds over three days, with first two rounds (and two “competitive balance rounds”) from MLB Network’s studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. Rounds 3-10 Tuesday and rounds 11-40 Wednesday will be held via conference calls with teams. The Twins have the No. 1 pick.
Mets: Braves: Rays: Brewers: White Sox: Indians: Pirates: Rockies: MLB draft: