U.S. eyes unified World Cup pitch
A final on or around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Modern stadiums across the United States and perhaps Mexico and Canada, too.
A North American World Cup in 2026 with 48 nations would be far larger and played in almost all different venues than the 24-team event the U.S. hosted in 1994.
Soccer officials planned to announce details of the joint bid by the U.S., Mexico and Canada at a news conference today atop the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. The split of games was likely to be discussed.
“Don’t think for a moment that the political climate in the United States didn’t impact this,” former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas, now a Fox analyst, said yesterday. “A joint World Cup that includes Mexico probably garners additional support and sends a message.”
A majority of games likely will be played in the United States.
Motorsports: Hinchcliffe’s 1st since ’15
James Hinchcliffe raced to his first victory since his near-fatal accident in 2015 by hanging in a three-lap shootout to the finish on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. Hinchcliffe had two strong late restarts to win in a Honda for Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports. It was the Canadian’s first victory since 2015 at New Orleans, a month before he nearly bled to death in an accident during practice for the Indianapolis 500. . . .
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton steered clear of a chaotic start at the Chinese Grand Prix and coasted to victory, claiming his fifth F1 title in Shanghai. . . .
Belgian driver Thierry Neuville extended his overnight lead to comfortably win the Tour of Corsica rally, with world champion Sebastien Ogier finishing a minute behind in second in Bastia, Corsica.
Misc.: Aussies KO Americans in Davis Cup
Australia advanced to tennis’ Davis Cup semifinals after Nick Kyrgios beat late substitute Sam Querrey of the United States 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4 in the first reverse singles match, clinching the quarterfinal 3-1 with a match to spare in Brisbane, Australia.
On a hard court at Pat Rafter Arena, Kyrgios and his singles partner Jordan Thompson gave Australia a 2-0 lead on Friday before the Americans staved off elimination on Saturday when Jack Sock, who lost to Thompson on Friday, and partner Steve Johnson beat
Sam Groth and John Peers 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Querrey was supposed to be Johnson’s doubles partner, but American captain Jim Courier, who said it would take “monstrous effort” for the Americans to win the tie, pulled a swap, putting Sock into doubles and allowing Querrey to be fresh for Kyrgios.
That worked for a while Sunday during an evenlyplayed first set, but Kyrgios gradually overpowered the American with his strong serves and backhand.
Isner beat substitute Groth 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the meaningless second reverse singles, in a match reduced to best-of-three, to make the final score line 3-2. . . .
Daria Kasatkina overpowered Jalena Ostapenko to win her first WTA event in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, at the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, S.C.
Olympic road champion Greg Van Avermaet overtook Zdenek Stybar just before the line in a thrilling sprint finish to win cycling’s Paris-Roubaix classic for the first time in Roubaix, France.