TALKING POINTS

LAFC rallies with pair in 2nd half for 3-3 draw with Houston

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez scored six minutes apart midway through the second half, and Los Angeles FC rallied for a 3-3 draw with the Houston Dynamo in the MLS is Back tournament on Monday night.

The opening match of Group F turned into the highest scoring game of the tournament.

LAFC, the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners, trailed 3-1 at halftime after Houston took advantage of its counter-attacking opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

Memo Rodríguez scored twice in the first half for Houston. His first goal came in the ninth minute with a right-footed shot that beat LAFC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. Rodríguez added his second in the 30th, collecting a perfect pass behind the LAFC defense. Rodríguez’s first shot was saved by Vermeer, but the rebound deflected off Rodríguez’s leg and into the net.

Alberth Elis added a third for Houston just before halftime with his header off a free kick. The goal was originally waived off as being offside, but video review showed Elis was onside and the goal was allowed.

MLS veteran and LAFC newcomer Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 109th career regular-season goal in the first half tapping in a cross from Rossi. Wright-Phillips started at the top of LAFC’s attack with reigning league MVP Carlos Vela sitting out the tournament. He moved into seventh-place on the league’s all-time list for regular season goals.

While Rossi was a distributor in the first half, it was his strike in the 63rd minute that sparked LAFC. The Uruguyan’s right-footed shot from 15 yards was no match for Houston goalkeeper Marko Maric.

Just a few minutes later, Latif Blessing found Brian Rodriguez on a run from the wing and scored his first goal after the 22-year-old signed with LAFC last summer.

Chargers safety Teamer suspended first 4 games of season

COSTA MESA — Los Angeles Chargers safety Roderic Teamer has been suspended for the first four regular-season games due to a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the league said Monday.

Teamer played in seven games as a rookie last season with six starts. He posted 39 tackles and had an interception during a Week 7 loss at Tennessee.

Teamer made LA’s roster last year as an

undrafted free agent. He is eligible to participate in all training camp practices and preseason games. His suspension will begin the Monday before the Chargers’ first regular-season game, which is scheduled to be Sept. 13 at Cincinnati.

Lakers G Rondo breaks thumb in practice, out 6-8 weeks

LOS ANGELES — Rajon Rondo broke his right thumb in practice with the Los Angeles Lakers in Florida.

The veteran point guard will be out for six to eight weeks, the Lakers said Sunday night. Rondo will have surgery this week.

Rondo has been a key backup during his second season with the Lakers, who signed him shortly after adding LeBron James to the roster in July 2018. James typically functions as the Lakers’ point guard with the starting unit, but Rondo frequently took on the role while James rested or while both veterans were on the floor together.

Rondo is averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 48 appearances this season, including three starts. He has been a regular presence on the floor late in close games, with coach Frank Vogel trusting his veteran leadership and playmaking.

Lakers’ Davis to wear own name on jersey in Orlando

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis will wear his own name on the back of his jersey when the Los Angeles Lakers return to action.

Davis confirmed his decision Sunday in a conference call from Orlando, where the Western Conference-leading Lakers are beginning team workouts.

Davis and LeBron James both declined to choose a social justice message to replace their names on the back of their jerseys during the NBA restart.

Davis, a seven-time NBA All-Star, said he was “torn between” choosing from among the 29 approved messages and sticking with his name.

“For me, I think the name ‘Davis’ is something I try to represent every time I step on the floor,” he said. “I just think my last name is something that’s very important to me, and also social justice as well. But (I’m) just holding my family name and representing the name on the back to go through this process ... and people who have been with me through my entire career to help me get to this point, while still kind of bringing up things that we can do for social injustice.”

The Lakers open play in Orlando on July 30 against the Clippers.

Jockey Prat tests positive for COVID-19

Jockey Flavien Prat has tested positive for COVID-19 after riding in Kentucky.

Del Mar officials said Prat was tested Sunday in La Jolla and was told shortly thereafter he had a positive result.

The 27-year-old jockey had been scheduled to ride eight horses at Del Mar on Sunday, but was removed from those mounts. He was in Kentucky to ride a day earlier.

Prat, a three-time leading rider at Del Mar, is quarantining at home for at least 10 days.

Del Mar requires all riders traveling from other locations to be tested before being able to ride at the seaside track north of San Diego.

Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza is isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

Thorns winless in Challenge Cup after draw

HERRIMAN, Utah — The Portland Thorns will face top-seeded North Carolina in the quarterfinals of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup after wrapping up the group stage with a scoreless draw with the rival OL Reign on Monday.

The Thorns were winless in the opening round to finish last among the eight teams playing in the tournament, which was wrapping up group stage matches Monday.

Sofia Huerta, acquired by the Reign in the offseason, made her first start and had one of the team’s best chances late in the first half. Taylor Smith was open in the 61st minute but her shot went wide.

Portland controlled possession for most of the first half but Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos saved attempts from both Christine Sinclair and rookie Morgan Weaver. Raquel Rodriguez got a longrange shot from the top of the box in the final minute of regulation but Betos scooped it up.

DC United scores twice late for 2-2 draw against Toronto FC

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Federico Higuain and Frederic Brillant both scored late in the second half as D.C. United rallied for a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC on Monday in the MLS is Back tournament.

D.C. United played the entire second half with 10 men after Junior Moreno picked up a second yellow card during first-half stoppage time and was sent off. Despite being short-handed, D.C. United finished its two chances in the closing minutes to earn one point.